CAN'T BAN BONGS

Once again, a Strathcona County councillor is trying to take on a
provincial problem.

This time, it's Coun. Jason Gariepy who wants to stop stores from
selling drug paraphernalia in Sherwood Park.

But it's not up to the municipal government to decide what legal
goods can be sold in law-abiding businesses.

Gariepy also wants the pipes and bongs to be covered up so kids can't
see them. That's a great idea and it's in line with provincial
tobacco legislation.

But outlawing the sale of these products or banishing the stores that
sell them is not something the municipality should be touching.

What difference does it make if kids are buying their bongs in
Sherwood Park or in Edmonton? If they can't get them in Edmonton,
they'll buy them online. Or easier still, they'll make their own.

The only logical reason for politicians to want to stop the sale of
drug paraphernalia in Sherwood Park is to maintain the image of the
squeaky-clean crime-free suburban heaven some people still pretend we
live in. But politicians shouldn't be damaging the reputations of
local small businesses to keep up that charade.

Take the problem up with the province, not with local businesses.
Alberta needs to develop legislation to decrease the visibility of
these products as it did with tobacco products. Because, as Gariepy
says, kids don't need to see it.