Pubdate: Wed, 15 Aug 2001 Source: Ann Arbor News (MI) Copyright: 2001 The Ann Arbor News Contact: http://aa.mlive.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/20 Author: Chong W. Pyen DEXTER PASSES LAW BANNING DRUG TOOLS DEXTER - The village has joined a growing number of municipalities with laws allowing police to arrest anyone who has tools for illegal drug use even if drugs aren't found. An ordinance adopted by the Village Council Monday prohibits possession of drug paraphernalia, ranging from facilities and equipment for growing marijuana to hypodermic syringes for injection of controlled substances. The ordinance, passed by a vote of 7-0, takes effect 20 days after publication in a local newspaper. Violators can face up to a $500 fine or 90 days in jail or both. The two-page ordinance has a long list of materials any law-abiding citizen may possess or use routinely. In order to prosecute someone, law enforcement officials will need reason to believe that the materials are intended for use or production of marijuana, cocaine, hashish, hashish oil or another controlled substance. Among the items listed: Water pipes. Scales, balances, testing equipment (for measuring and compounding cocaine). Blenders, bowls, spoons, mixing devices. Capsules, balloons, envelopes (for packaging small quantities of controlled substances). Hypodermic syringes, needles for injection. Roach clips (used to hold a burning marijuana cigarette too short to hold in the hand). John Coy, village president, said the ordinance was requested by the Sheriff's Department so that officers could have more options when they make a traffic stop or respond to domestic violence and spot obviously drug-related items. "We have few problems in our community, but it just gives them (police) another tool to discourage such activities," Coy said. As for any potential complaint that the law gives too much power and discretion to police, Coy said: "We have a very strong community policing effort. It's pretty clear that we are just going after abusers." Many urban communities, including the city of Ypsilanti, have enacted similar laws to give police broader powers to fight suspected drug use and trafficking. The city of Ann Arbor does not have such an ordinance, said Kristen Larcom, assistant city attorney. Similar drug paraphernalia laws have the backing of the nation's highest court as long as they are not too broad, said Wendy Wagenheim, communications director of the American Civil Liberties Union chapter in Detroit. "As long as there is adequate definition and people have fair warning on what would be considered illegal paraphernalia, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the right to arrest for possession of drug paraphernalia," she said. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom