Sign the Resolution for a Federal Commission on Drug Policy

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UNITED NATIONS, N. Y., May 1–– The United States warned today that the smuggling of heroin was this country's greatest narcotics problem and listed Italy. Greece, Turkey and Communist China as the chief supply centers.

Delegates to the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs heard the United States delegate, Harry Anslinger, propose that Secretary General Trygve Lie ask the Italian Government to outlaw the production of heroin for ten years, or until the present large stock is exhausted.

Mr. Anslinger told the commission that the Greek, Turkish and Italian governments were to be congratulated for the steps they had taken already to cut down the traffic in illegal drugs but should be asked to step up prosecutions. As for the danger of the smuggling of heroin from China, Mr. Anslinger said simply:

"This traffic should be suppressed by the Communist authorities in China."

Earlier, Dr. Hsioh-ren Wei, Nationalist China's delegate, said that some 370 tons of narcotics were located in three Chinese cities Tientsin, Canton and Hankow. He was immediately denounced by Vassili V. Zakusov of the Soviet Union, who tried unsuccessfully to have the Chinese delegate's comments stricken from the record.

In his report to the commission, Mr. Anslinger declared that the energetic action of the Governments of Italy, Turkey and Greece" had resulted in cutting down the illegal heroin traffic to the United States.

Prices and adulteration of heroin, he added, have mounted and there is now a "distinct heroin shortage."

At the same tune, however, Mr. Anslinger made it plain that the United States still regarded heroin as the greatest threat in the campaign against drug addiction. He gave this country by country picture:

Italy--- Strong steps by Italian authorities have substantially reduced annual heroin output from 380 pounds to 60, but a 400-pound stock still exists. That is equal to a ten-year supply, and the stock constitutes a great danger to the United States and other countries on the receiving end of Narcotic drugs smuggled from Italy. Mr. Anslinger congratulated the Italian police for the arrest a few weeks ago of Frank Callasi of New York, whom he described as a member of the "notorious Mafia." The United States delegate said that Callasi was seized in Rome as he stepped from a plane from Milan and that six pounds of heroin were found on him.

Turkey--- The greatest quantities of heroin seized in the last three months of 1950 and the first, quarter of this year were in Turkey. It was to be hoped, said Mr. Anslinger, that the Turkish Government would place more severe restrictions on the internal distribution of opium.

Japan--- The Japanese, who once said they had no heroin trouble, now have an illicit narcotic traffic.

Greece--- "This country in rapidly becoming a major source of heroin supply for the illicit market," said the United States delegate, who added that the Greek Government should be asked to increase its vigilance.

China--- Mr. Anslinger said that the flow of heroin from Tientsin and points in Manchuria must be viewed with "considerable concern." He said the drug was reaching Japan, where forty pounds had been seized, by way of Hong Kong. There was evidence that some of the drug was reaching other countries through Japan, Mr. Anslinger said he had photographs of heroin smuggled into Japan aboard a British aircraft carrier from Hong Kong and that the labels showed that the drug was produced in Tientsin.