SURF CITY SMOKES THE PIPES

SURF CITY - Beach shops that sell drug paraphernalia will have a week
to get the glass bongs, screens, pipes, grinders and other "head
shop" items off their shelves in Surf City.

Town residents in the town spoke Tuesday night in favor of a new
ordinance that was later passed banning the sale of drug
paraphernalia. Many said it was a step in the right direction in the
war on drugs - especially regarding children.

"It is becoming normal to our kids to see this kind of stuff," said
Deborah Bell of Parent Corps, a drug prevention group. "I thank you
for this ordinance."

The law was drawn up by the town after a number of Surf City
residents and vacationers complained to the Surf City Police
Department and Town Hall that things such as glass pipes and bongs
being sold in beach shops were not appropriate. The new law labels
certain items as "unlawful," including various types of pipes, roach
clips, water pipes, smoking carburetion masks, wired cigarette papers
and other paraphernalia.

Bell said that two years ago she visited Waves, a Surf City beach
shop, and snapped photographs of three cabinets full of pipes and bongs.

"I wrote to the owner two years ago and have heard no response," Bell
said. "I asked the manager to put them at least in the back where the
kids couldn't see them but nothing was done."

Though no one spoke out against the ordinance at a public hearing
Tuesday, Waves manager Sammy Alofer said last week the items are
easily available on the Internet or in other towns. Some beach shop
owners that sell the paraphernalia said they carry the goods because
other stores do.

District Attorney Ben David of Pender and New Hanover counties said
getting rid of paraphernalia is important.

"I will be happy to enforce this law if it's violated," David said at
Tuesday's meeting. "A vast majority of (crime) is a result of drugs
and drug dealers. . I don't see myself as fighting the war on drugs,
but fighting the war on drug dealers. This will give Surf City Police
Chief (Mike) Halstead and us a tool."

A few residents said they didn't even know drug paraphernalia was
being sold in the town until recently.

"When I read this in the newspaper, I almost had a McDonald's
dropping of coffee in my lap moment," said Surf City resident Bob
McClatchy during the public hearing. "I can't believe we're allowing
drug paraphernalia to be sold in this town."

Councilman Doug Medlin said he didn't know the problem existed until
a friend brought it to his attention.

"My children are grown and so I've never been in these places,"
Medlin said. "I did not know this stuff was being sold."

Those in violation of the ordinance, as of Oct. 10, will be punished
by a fine "greater than $50." Town attorney Charles Lanier said other
enforcement methods used by nearby towns could be more effective.

"We could enforce it by confiscating all of the items," he said. "It
is more effective than a $50 or $100 fine because it hits the
pocketbook harder."