DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

Kingsville Coun. Ron Colasanti calls it a "sin, a damn sin."
Colasanti was among town councillors who voted unanimously this week
to press the province to strengthen the laws prohibiting the sale of
drug paraphernalia.

It is outrageous, councillors agreed, that retailers must keep
cigarettes and other tobacco products hidden behind metal flaps, yet
they can openly display crack pipes and marijuana bongs.

Even worse, some convenience stores in town place these items near
candy -- a shameful move that clearly targets children and youth.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, drug
paraphernalia is often marketed specifically to youth with colourful
logos, celebrity pictures and designs like smiley faces on the
products. "The items are meant to look harmless and belie the dangers
of taking controlled substances ... small, hand-painted blown glass
items look more like pretty trinkets than pipes or stash containers."

While the Criminal Code prohibits the sale of drug paraphernalia,
prosecution is difficult. Store owners will argue that they do not
sell such items for the purposes of drug use.

But, police can testify to how these items are being used once they
leave the corner store. Earlier this month, Amherstburg police seized
drug paraphernalia from four youths loitering near a McDonald's
restaurant. The smell of marijuana was in the air, said police, who
let the teens off with a warning.

Colasanti's concern is justified. If the province is not going to
enforce laws prohibiting the sale of drug paraphernalia, then it must
curb its availability. Store owners should be forced to remove crack
pipes and other illicit drug accessories from public view.