DRUG PARAPHERNALIA IN STORES

As a health-care professional working in Brampton, I see the effects
on a unhealthy lifestyle on a daily basis. Part of my practice is
health teaching on how to quit smoking, developing a more healthy
balanced lifestyle.

However, I'm beginning to see a really disturbing trend in our
community-- glass "pipes" being sold in convenience stores in our
community. I've seen them in stores close to schools, close to fast
food stores, always where there seems to be an influx of young people.

I have asked these store owners why they sell these pipes, and other
drug paraphernalia, and they tell me it's what the kids want and they
have to make money selling what people want.

I phoned Peel police and spoke with a community police officer and
asked her about these "pipes". She acknowledged they could be used as
crack pipes but they weren't against the law, neither were the other
drug paraphernalia.

What about the moral or ethical values and the safety of our community?

The police officer stated they don't like this stuff any more than I
do, but it's not against the law.

No wonder we're having more and more violence in Brampton.

As my own little form of protest I won't go into the stores that I
know sell this stuff. I try to educate the store owners but I know
I'm tilting at windmills.

Barb Davies,

Brampton