The great importance of the real story of the sufferer from narcotic drug addiction-disease has been referred to several times in this book. It had been my first intention to include in the course of the various discussions, stories and statements of narcotic drug addicts illustrative of the various matters discussed, and to take them from my own collection of addiction histories.
That I might avoid any personal controversy, however, as to their personality or reliability, and also to make such statements free from any possible hint of influence or bias, I have taken them from medical literature and am using them as an appendix.
In December, 1917, American Medicine published a special addiction number, containing statements written for it by addicts of evident and vouched for intelligence and standing, stating their personal experiences and personal views.
Through the courtesy of American Medicine and its editors, I am reproducing these, believing that they are of great value and that they illustrate many of the discussions which appear in this book.
HUMAN DOCUMENTS[1]
[1] For obvious reasons the names of the authors of these contributions are not given. The editor, however, has every one of them, and has taken especial care to establish the authenticity and good faith of each article. Each contribution appears as received.
THE PERSONAL SIDE OF DRUG ADDICTION
Some Views on Drug Addiction—Personal and Legal
By A Prominent Member of the New York Bar