DRUG PARAPHERNALIA BUSINESSES A SCOURGE

With all the drug-fighting efforts put out by the federal, state and city
governments, including organizations from the private sectors and
individuals who have family members addicted to, fighting against or
recovering from the use of illegal drugs, it's a shame to see many retail
stores selling drug-smoking accessories such as rolling papers, "bongs,"
glass pipes for ice, metal and wood pipes for smoking hashish, posters and
T-shirts glorifying marijuana, etc.

Although these drug paraphernalia mongers can sell these items legally, they
are capitalizing off the illegal narcotics trade at the expense of those
addicted to drugs.

Hats off to the thousands of anti-drug sign-waivers and other supporters for
their efforts to combat drugs in Hawai'i. I hope one day these sign-waivers
will do their sign-waiving fronting these retail drug paraphernalia
businesses.

Emerick LaMontagne

Honolulu