Pubdate: Tue, 03 May 2005
Source: Lexington Herald-Leader (KY)
Copyright: 2005 Lexington Herald-Leader
Contact:  http://www.kentucky.com/mld/heraldleader/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/240

BAG THE HIGHER-UPS, TOO

Arrests in sales of 'crack' kits send clear message

Lexington police made a strong statement last week with the arrest of 24
people for selling pre-packaged works for crack cocaine use.

The "paper bag" order -- a glass vial used for smoking, scouring pads to
clean the vial and a butane lighter -- is packaged to sell to addicts
quicker than a Happy Meal.

The fact that such marketing is so widespread and open -- sold at gas
stations and corner markets -- makes it clear that these arrests were long
overdue.

Clerks kept the bags under the counters and sold them for $2 to $5. While
none of the stores sold drugs to undercover officers, several of those
arrested gave directions to where drugs could be purchased.

Capt. John Jacobs told Herald-Leader staff writer Delano Massey that he was
surprised at the results of the one-day crackdown, which targeted 24
locations.

"It amazed us how readily available, how easy it was to obtain," he said.

Arrests on misdemeanor charges of selling drug paraphernalia do not have the
same "war on drugs" visual impact as, say, kilos of cocaine stacked on a
table.

But the arrests can send the message that police are paying more attention
to how the city's drug subculture works.

And that message would only be strengthen if charges go beyond clerks to
business managers and owners so willing to capitalize off of others'
addictions. 
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