"A Crack Pipe By Any Other Name"

Anyone else notice how many of our local convenience stores are publicly displaying and selling drug (crack) paraphernalia?

I'm talking in particular about Rose tubes, Rose Stems, Glass Roses, whatever you want to call them. The presence of these items, while not illegal, is irresponsible, especially given the transitional nature of our neighborhood.

While these items are "marketed" as novelty items, like a cheap gift a boy might get his sweetheart, most retailers are fully aware these items are widely regarded as drug paraphernalia. They're not illegal as of yet in Denver or Colorado, though I'm currently exploring what would be necessary to make that a reality. Here are some good online articles that should provide you a good overview of the item and its misuse and misrepresentation by many convenience store retailers:

http://www.sptimes.com/News/081001/Floridian/A_crack_pipe_by_any_o.shtml

Or,

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/04/AR2006040401602.html

Or,

http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/212336

If you notice a local retailer with these items on the shelf, I highly encourage you to confront them about this choice.

You can say something like:

We're working hard to help our neighborhood get cleaned up, and would appreciate your assistance in doing so, by removing these, and other drug paraphernalia from your counters and store shelves. Members of our neighborhood and our organization are paying customers of your establishment, and we evangelize supporting local businesses that are positive, rather than negative contributors to our neighborhood's progress. We hope you understandy why we think it's entirely unnecessary and irresponsible for your store to be selling these items.

If you have such a conversation with a business owner, please share how it went, either by posting a comment at this blog, or by emailing c-wac@comcast.net.

Thanks, and here's to continued progress in Cole and Whittier!