Pubdate: Tue, 26 Jun 2007 Source: Chilliwack Progress (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 The Chilliwack Progress Contact: http://www.theprogress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/562 Author: Clint Hames, SIMPLE STEP TO BATTLING DRUGS Clint Hames, Mayor Not long ago I received a note from a very frustrated parent who said that a gas station / convenience store close to her child's school was openly selling drug paraphernalia. I paid a visit to the store and was shocked to see a cabinet full of assorted pipes, lighters and papers with the assorted logos and labels - making their use unmistakable. I asked the clerk if they were aware that the items in the cabinet enabled people to use illegal drugs. She said that she knew what they were for. I asked how she felt about enabling kids to use illegal drugs. She answered by saying that they tried not to sell things to children. I asked her how she justified selling these things in her own mind. She said that they weren't illegal so it was OK. I was struck dumb. I managed to contact the gasoline wholesaler and asked if they were aware of the kind of items being sold in the store and how they felt about it. They promised to look into the situation. I returned to the store today to find a small curtain over the items. I asked a different clerk, presumably the owner, if he knew what the items were used for. He said he didn't know. I asked him why then does he cover them up. He then said he did know but that it wasn't illegal to sell these things. I asked him how he slept at night knowing that he is enabling people to use illegal drugs. He said that people come into his store and buy candy and it is bad for them too. I asked him if he would please consider not selling these things. He said "No." Stopping the use and abuse of drugs in our community is likely the most important thing we can attempt. Drug use, the crime associated with drug addiction and the drug culture in our community costs us millions of dollars each and every year. I wonder if the store has ever been robbed by somebody driven by addiction. I wonder if the owners would see the irony. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman