ALDERMAN WANTS BAN ON DRUG TOOLS

Calgary city council will consider a proposal early next week to
investigate a ban on the sale of crack pipes, roach clips, water bongs
and other drug paraphernalia.

Ald. Craig Burrows, who sits on the police commission, will urge
aldermen at their last meeting before the civic election to recommend
that city bureaucrats look at ways to prohibit the sale of the materials.

"We have retailers along 7th Avenue selling drug paraphernalia,
especially crack pipes," he said Thursday. "These people are (selling)
to crack addicts, which is contributing to problems downtown."

Several stores along 7th Avenue sell blown-glass pipes, scales, knives
or small glass tubes containing fake roses -- commonly used for
smoking crack cocaine.

But the owners reached by the Herald said they have no problem with
the merchandise being made illegal.

"A ban is good for us, too," said Nasir Hesen, co-partner of Hop In,
Hop Out, which sells bongs and pipes in the 100 block of 7th Avenue
S.W.

Police recently raised concerns that they are limited when it comes to
controlling the sale of items that could be used in the drug trade if
they also have a legitimate use.

Burrows said some front-line officers have told him they could use
more tools to combat crime.