CAMPAIGN FOR 'LOVE ROSE' BAN COULD GO STATEWIDE

DURHAM -- When the Rev. Melvin Whitley introduced his proposed
citywide ban on so-called "love roses," an item sold at Durham
convenience stores and, according to Whitley, used by addicts to
smoke crack, he told reporters that getting City Council members to
vote for a ban would be like getting people to vote for apple pie.

Everybody loves apple pie, he said. And he was right, apparently.

Whitley's campaign, "Operation Pipe Dream," made news in late August
when he delivered letters to 31 Durham convenience stores that
allegedly sold the love roses, asking them to stop selling the item
and informing them of Whitley's intent to seek a citywide ban.

Aside from achieving a unanimous vote for a civil penalty for stores
that sell the item at the last council meeting, Whitley has found
supporters of the ban across the state. Most recently, Whitley said
District 29 N.C. House Representative-elect Larry Hall (D) has agreed
to introduce the ban to North Carolina's legislature in hopes of
achieving a statewide ban.

The council item, passed on Nov. 9, created a $500 fine for stores
that sell love roses, the toughest penalty for the sale of them in
the entire state, according to Whitley. In Charlotte, the penalty for
selling love roses is $50, and in Greensboro it's $100.

"I think while some people say it's a small step, it will send the
message that Durham is closed for business to drug users," said City
Councilman Thomas Stith. "This was the first step in the right
direction to show Durham will not stand for this."

The unanimous vote in favor of the ordinance also means the city is
willing to "move foward ... without analyzing too much," Whitley
said, referencing the city attorney and city police department's
initial reluctance to support the ordinance.

Others willing to move forward with Whitley's campaign include Durham
Together for Resilient Youth leaders Earl and Wanda Boone and the
Triangle Lost Generation Task Force, a Raleigh-based activism group.

"We're looking for some movement on the state level," said Wanda
Boone of her organization's willingness to help push the legislation
in the General Assembly.

Stith called the legislation's chance in the N.C. House "viable."