Pubdate: Wed, 26 Mar 2003
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA)
Copyright: 2003 PG Publishing
Contact:  http://www.post-gazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/341
Author: John P. Walters
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/walters.htm (Walters, John)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/paraphernalia (Paraphernalia)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/campaign.htm (ONDCP Media Campaign)

WHY WE MUST ATTACK THE DRUG-PARAPHERNALIA TRADE - IT ENABLES DRUG ABUSE

The drug trade is an ugly business that keeps its face hidden. Trafficking 
drugs is illegal, and no community can thrive if it treats that trade as 
acceptable. We now know that if a neighborhood looks the other way, the 
drug trade expands and traps more young people in addiction. We know we 
must fight back against the drug pushers, and displace them from any corner 
where they set up shop.

But there's another face to the drug trade that is all too frequently 
tolerated out in the open. It is the business of trafficking in the tools 
of drug abuse -- what law enforcement officials term "drug paraphernalia."

What is the role of the paraphernalia business in drug trafficking? Young 
people don't wake up one day knowing how to acquire illegal drugs like 
cocaine, heroin or even marijuana, nor do they know the techniques for 
consuming them. Rather, they have to be taught how to locate drugs, how to 
prepare them for use, and the best ways to inject, snort or smoke them. 
Many of them also rely on the devices that make the drugs a "consumable 
product." Some kids may learn about these products from their peers, or 
even by watching Hollywood entertainment. Too many young people, however, 
are being trained in the "how-to's" of the drug trade by the paraphernalia 
industry, and particularly the online drug paraphernalia industry.

It is a nationwide business with an estimated value of a billion dollars, 
and it includes products such as imitation Hi-Liter markers containing a 
marijuana pipe or soft-drink cans fitted with a false bottom to conceal drugs.

Let's face it; a lipstick dispenser that holds a hidden crack pipe simply 
has no other purpose than to facilitate drug use. Nor is there any other 
rationale for them being sold than that they will be used to break the law.

The reality is that the spread of the drug trade through a community is 
very often aided and abetted by sleazy "head shops" on downtown street 
corners (or increasingly on a kid's computer screen). In addition to 
providing the means for consuming drugs, head shops may provide the names 
of sellers and information about how much to pay for drugs. The impact is 
to familiarize kids with what to expect when they try drugs, and to send 
the corrosive message that drug use is acceptable, even expected, of young 
people.

Effective laws against this dangerous trade are already on the books. 
Citizens lobbied Congress and the president successfully for a federal 
paraphernalia law in 1986; corresponding laws in 48 states soon followed. 
But for too long these laws were not adequately enforced.

That neglect is now over. Starting in Pittsburgh, with Operations 
"Pipedreams" and "Headhunter," local law enforcement officers and their 
federal counterparts are taking action to close down and prosecute those 
whose practices undermine our youth and our communities. Our efforts have 
expanded nationwide.

While enforcing the law, we are taking care that legitimate businesses are 
not harmed by our efforts. But it is revealing to note that numerous 
pro-drug publications and drug-promoting Web sites -- which are among the 
most vocal opponents of our efforts -- receive substantial revenue from 
drug paraphernalia advertising. A number of these publications and Web 
sites want to legalize drugs outright. They have a right to free 
expression. They do not have a right to funding that supports criminal 
activity.

Allowing drug paraphernalia businesses to operate not only hurts individual 
lives, it also lowers community standards. Paraphernalia shops directly 
foster a culture of drug use among kids, making it look fun, attractive, 
safe and an accepted part of young people's lives. These shops sell a 
dangerous lie and the equipment for addiction to our children. We reveal 
that lie and that crime for what it is by enforcing our national and state 
paraphernalia laws.

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John P. Walters is director of the Office of National Drug Control 
Policy  (www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov).
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MAP posted-by: Jackl