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. Smokers of opium have wasted
their time, neglected their employment, ruined their
constitutions, and impoverished their households. For several
decades therefore China has presented a spectacle of increasing
poverty and weakness. To merely mention the matter, arouses our
indignation. The court has now determined to make China powerful,
and to this end we urge our people to reformation in this
respect.
"We, therefore, decree that within a limit of ten years this
injurious filth shall be completely swept away. We further order
the Council of State to consider means of prohibition both of
growing the poppy and smoking the opium."
The Council of State at once drew up regulations designed to
carry out this decree. They were among others:
That all opium-smokers be required to report and take out a
license.
Officials using the drug were divided into two classes. Young men
must be cured of the habit within six months, while for old men
no limit was fixed. But both classes, while under treatment, must
furnish satisfactory substitutes, at their own expense, to attend
to the duties of their office.
All opium dens must be closed within six months, after which time
no opium-pipes nor lamps may be either made or sold. Though shops
for the sale of the drug may continue for ten years, the limit of
the traffic.
The government promises to provide medicine for the cure of the
habit, and encourages the formation of anti-opium societies, but
will not allow these societies to discuss other political
matters
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