Reowran

665 < 32nd a
Washington 15, D.

April 26, 1956

Dr. Karl M. Bowen
Langley Porter Clinic
San Foenhens, Carers

Dear Or. Bowman:

<auihdiore Gut Un Aitsnin Parchiatade intteisten hud 40
something about narcotic addiction designed to stop the progression
of the United Stetes te a position just as wrong and vicious as the
long discarded practice of punishing the insane and executing witches.
As you know, fanatics - same honest and some dishonest - continue to
advocate and secure the enactment of more and more harsh and unreason-
 @bile narcotic laws. They disregard medical opinion and grab at the
sebetethy Gn tee otbant. Gant’ catetan amas eaaak Uehenaaens mee
and crime and were responsible for their downfall. They denounce or
ignore physicians who disagree with them. You remember how the |
La Guardia Committee on Marihuana was, and still is mr paw oir ig gg
eee eee

| eitr eink oe 06 teen ba os esd us as es
suspected narcotic cases, increase sentences still more, (Already in
16 States the minimm sentence for possession of narcotics is two
years.) abolish probation and parole, legalize wire tapping, etc. All
ar deus woneares axe atvenael with Ge aptink ca Secoameae ated
a

 

dust today there are headlines dealing, among other things, with
is pease: Su Cochin aiutanian of teheehenr atkenen te te on
narcotic hospitals and foree (the report says permit) the hospitals to
reveal information about patients to the Federal Bureau of Narcoties, ete.

I eould go on with this but you know as mach about the general
problem as I do. |

I think the Aesootation should pase and publicise « resolution to
the effect that chronic drug addiction is an emotional disease

opiates, including herein, awe very 2ittle diaesse tnd no eriney except
| ie Guiees Sashigeh te tbs bandh tar eutecconting Gus sulin tn
SAGE PAU SO 8S AOS Chey GuERD predating Wing 5) te Atinges 96 be One
22

‘gah We Gaited atates ihicid adees vaventen padinhin clntias 0 thom
in effect in Europe, where physicians are free to prescribe narcotics
in accordanee with their professional discretion.

I could give details about all this, with figures. England does
Se ee eee eee oe

“during the year or to the next anmual meeting. |

: x iid wel Uthnndbing tht wiettnn oF ten Aeeeiebtes: ts tune tan
I heve not suggested to anyone in the Public Health Service that they
ee Se Oke Oe ES Mey Lenene > ew Ray Nees Re
te vicious attack by more or less prominent people.

the article I told you about is being typed. If published, it
should be helptel.

| Sinaia yours,

Lawrence Kolb, M.D.

LK/Jof