Pubdate: Wed, 23 Nov 2005
Source: Eastern Arizona Courier (AZ)
Copyright: 2005, Eastern Arizona Courier
Contact:  http://www.eacourier.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1674
Author: Steph Slater, staff writer

STORE OWNER PULLS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA OFF SHELVES

Sales of pipes and lighters have prompted Gila Valley parents and 
community members to step up efforts to keep kids off drugs.

Water-cooled glass pipes and army-style lighters were, until 
recently, on display at a local corner store. The store was the focus 
of concerns at the November Thatcher Town Council meeting.

"I'm concerned about the close proximity to schools, mainly the 
elementary school," Councilor Bill Mullenaux said at the council 
meeting, referring to the access of drug paraphernalia and alcohol at 
the new store.

When several neighbors complained, former police officer and EAC 
educator Steve Johnson wrote a letter to the new store owners and 
received immediate cooperation.

"They took the items off the shelves right away while we were talking 
on the telephone," Johnson said.

Johnson commended the owner and manager for quickly pulling the 
items, although many small stores carry them, particularly in stores 
in large cities like Tucson. Johnson said in his letter that 4.5 
percent of high school seniors abuse marijuana each day, not 
including the use of other drugs such as heroin, cocaine, steroids, 
"meth" and abused prescription drugs. He called the statistic alarming.

"Legally, stores can sell these collectors' pipes because they are 
also used to smoke tobacco, but they are mainly used for smoking 
marijuana," Johnson said. "Law enforcement officials have the burden 
of proving they are being sold to smoke marijuana."

Other stores, such as the Next Alternative, have been selling pipes 
or bongs, other drug paraphernalia and other exotic items for many 
years in the Gila Valley without consequence. Although the store 
carries many valuable and unique items, the community seems concerned 
about the availabilty of the questionable items used with drugs and 
combined with alcohol consumption, Johnson said.

Safford Police Captain Dennis Whisman said his department is aware of 
this store and has seen its effect on local youth. He also said it is 
not the only store selling such items.

"I've never caught a kid with the old wooden tobacco pipes, " Whisman 
said. "They always have the fancy glass pipes or bongs."

Whisman said he has never met anyone who uses the colorful pipes for 
anything but marijuana. He also said the law with drug paraphernalia 
is too open-ended and that it needs to be more specific so certain 
dual-purpose items can't be sold next door.

"I think they (glass pipes) should not be sold in stores because they 
promote drug use," Whisman said.

Deputy Chief Juvenile Officer Sandra Figueroa said overall drug use 
has declined with teens in the Valley, but she still has concerns 
about the small percentage using drugs.

"One thing I know for sure is that we (Gila Valley) really have a 
problem with methamphetamines," Figueroa said. "It's not just marijuana."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman