CRACK PIPES NOT WELCOME AT FAMILY AMUSEMENT FAIRS

In a democratic society the public should never take lightly measures
by government or special-interest groups to censor or banish a
targeted item from a retail store's shelves.

But there are a few givens. The display of accessories to enhance the
ingestion of illegal drugs at an outlet frequented by youth has to be one.

That's why West Coast Amusements -- organizer of the midway
attractions at the weekend's popular Cloverdale Rodeo -- was right to
have swiftly facilitated the removal of glass crack pipes and bongs,
a type of marijuana water pipe, from a vendor's kiosk.

West Coast's assistant manager Wendy Hauser says the amusement
company has a policy of zero tolerance on the sale of illegal-drug
paraphernalia at fairs.

But for an unexplained reason, the merchant overrode the regulation
and, according to a member of the Surrey Coalition of Parents,
displayed an assortment of glass pipes and bongs alongside midway
booths sporting stylish cowboy hats, leather belts and purses,
T-shirts and photo shoots.

After the discovery, West Coast immediately sent a reminder to all
vendors that the sale of drug paraphernalia at the family
entertainment rodeo was a no-no.

The vendor argued that he was merely selling pipes, not the drugs
that go in them. Technically, he's right. There is no ban on the sale
or purchase of such goods. Nor should there be.

Nevertheless, citizens expect community retail businesses to act responsibly.

And that means refraining from peddling goods that tell kids it's OK
to get stoned on mind-destroying, life-ruining drugs.