Young Men and Women Becom ing Opium Addicts Canton, Aug. 2.
Since the re-introduction of the opium traffic into Canton by the Kuomintang for revenue purposes, hundreds of young men and women in Canton ity alone have become addicted to the drug, it is reported. Not a fow school boys and girls have been victims of the habit after enjoying a few "social smokes."
The Kuomintang is allowing opium to be imported from Yunnan at a duty of 38 cents a tael, still reserving to themselves the monopoly. for decoction.
It ig inexpensive in Canton to cultivate the habit of opium smoking as it costs only 40 cents. fo: eight candareens and about $5 a fuel.
Many young men and women i Canton have sought the "privilege" Jot associating with Kuomintang itary by mixing with their con-ubiness and have become addicted a drug whose price will rise when the sale of opium is prohibited ence more or when the party in office falls from power.
Houses where the Kuomintang] leaders and their families smoke do} not have to be licensed for inspeetion, while those who spend their time in opium dens are required to wear a badge, the minimum cost of which is $10) per annum—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.