THE ADDICT AMONG US ALL

Like so many laws, the initiative to ban the sale of drug
paraphernalia is a bad idea wrapped in good intentions.

Within days, the City of Surrey will debate a bylaw to ban the sale of
bongs, crack pipes and assorted gear used to consume drugs.

White Rock Coun. Catherine Ferguson is on a similar crusade.

The idea is commendable, and few can argue the merits.

But the worth of any resulting law must be questioned, along with the
ramifications.

It is already illegal to sell cigarettes to anyone younger than 19,
yet it's common practice.

The law is tough to police, and harder to enforce on a sector of the
business community where profit margins can be slim and fleeting.

Now, bylaw officers will have added to their work-a-day the
responsibility to pop into convenience stores to see what's on offer,
and likely make a discretionary ruling on what's illegal.

Is it the sensibilities of well-meaning civic officials that are upset?

Or is there a crime being committed?

If it's drug paraphernalia these councillors want purged, how about
going after purveyors of hydroponic equipment?

Plastic bags are used to ship pot - let's have done with them. Rolling
papers? Verbotten. Lighters? Be damned!

Are they offended that the drug gear is sold up front?

Ferguson says her "jaw dropped" when she saw the bongs at an East
Beach market.

What about the stuff sold in shops, restaurants and night clubs she's
not visited?

See no evil . . .

Consider that, in New Brunswick, so offended were the puritans they've
banished all smoking material - legal stuff, too - to the realm of
out-of-sight, out-of-mind.

No longer can smoking matter be displayed.

Shopkeepers must stash cigs and such in drawers, behind blinds or
under counters.

Of course, that same province banned smoking in public places -
including outside.

Now there's a place where police don't have enough to do.