SENDING THE WRONG MESSAGE

Editor:

When store owners decide to sell pipes and bongs they send a huge
message to kids regardless of who is buying the goods.

As soon as retailers put this stuff on their shelves, we are giving
many kids the message that it's OK to smoke drugs. Come on people. We
know what people use these for.

If I want to be a good role model for kids, I don't buy a bong or put
it on a shelf to show off to company. Often I see lighters and pipes
at local gas stations that have the marijuana emblem on them. This
simply says to our teens that it's OK for adults to buy this stuff
therefore if adults can buy them, some teens have something else to
buy in their future.

Like an RCMP officer said to me at a pro-d session, "What message are
we giving kids today?" How we use words, and how we show by example is
crucial. Retailers are sure not helping us or our kids have a
drug-free future.

Corey Robertson

Teacher