SIMPLE STEP TO BATTLING DRUGS

Clint Hames, Mayor

Not long ago I received a note from a very frustrated parent who said
that a gas station / convenience store close to her child's school
was openly selling drug paraphernalia. I paid a visit to the store
and was shocked to see a cabinet full of assorted pipes, lighters and
papers with the assorted logos and labels - making their use unmistakable.

I asked the clerk if they were aware that the items in the cabinet
enabled people to use illegal drugs. She said that she knew what they
were for. I asked how she felt about enabling kids to use illegal
drugs. She answered by saying that they tried not to sell things to
children. I asked her how she justified selling these things in her
own mind. She said that they weren't illegal so it was OK.

I was struck dumb. I managed to contact the gasoline wholesaler and
asked if they were aware of the kind of items being sold in the store
and how they felt about it. They promised to look into the situation.

I returned to the store today to find a small curtain over the items.
I asked a different clerk, presumably the owner, if he knew what the
items were used for. He said he didn't know. I asked him why then
does he cover them up. He then said he did know but that it wasn't
illegal to sell these things. I asked him how he slept at night
knowing that he is enabling people to use illegal drugs. He said that
people come into his store and buy candy and it is bad for them too.
I asked him if he would please consider not selling these things. He said "No."

Stopping the use and abuse of drugs in our community is likely the
most important thing we can attempt. Drug use, the crime associated
with drug addiction and the drug culture in our community costs us
millions of dollars each and every year.

I wonder if the store has ever been robbed by somebody driven by
addiction. I wonder if the owners would see the irony.