HEIGHTEN VIGILANCE IN LIGHT OF DRUG RAIDS

Drugs. Say the word and images of back alley deals spring to mind.

Yet, as we can see from Monday's three-county bust at mostly local
convenience stores, the problem of illegal drug use is much more
insidious and has threaded its way into the norms of everyday life.
You may well have walked into many of these stores to pay for filling
up your car with gas, or perhaps a soft drink as you drove to or from
work. You may well have had one of your children with you as you
wandered the aisles, looking for those few quick pick up items needed
at home - some milk or a bag of potato chips to go with tomorrow's lunch.

How would you have reacted when your child asked about the rolling
papers, pipes or grinders, or other drug paraphernalia displayed on
one of those aisles? In fact, would you know what all that stuff was?

Do you know about the proliferation of mock marijuana, marketed as
incense or potpourri? How about various products termed "bath salts"
such as Recharge Invigoration, Comatose Candy or Ivory Wave? These
products, among others, produce hallucinogenic effects when snorted,
smoked or injected.

Many such synthetic mental buzz producers were made illegal by the
General Assembly during its 2010 term.

It appears we all must become more aware of the relentless spread of
the drug trade creeping into Georgia, including our home territory.

We must now contend with synthetic forms of pot being sold, in
addition to society-crippling forms of methamphetamine. Then there's
prescription drug abuse and contending with garden variety marijuana,
heroin, cocaine and other drugs.

Sadly, many people, including youth, are indulging in synthetic drug
use without knowing the physical and mental damage being caused.

It's also sad to see business owners, someone who may live next door,
vend such products to their neighbors.

We must again raise a vigilant eye to shield our children and
families against drug abuse in all forms.

Realize if five places in Habersham County dealt drugs, five more are
likely to exist.

Sad, but true.