Pubdate: Fri, 07 Sep 2007 Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB) Copyright: 2007 Calgary Herald Contact: http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?228 (Paraphernalia) ALDERMAN WANTS BAN ON DRUG TOOLS Calgary city council will consider a proposal early next week to investigate a ban on the sale of crack pipes, roach clips, water bongs and other drug paraphernalia. Ald. Craig Burrows, who sits on the police commission, will urge aldermen at their last meeting before the civic election to recommend that city bureaucrats look at ways to prohibit the sale of the materials. "We have retailers along 7th Avenue selling drug paraphernalia, especially crack pipes," he said Thursday. "These people are (selling) to crack addicts, which is contributing to problems downtown." Several stores along 7th Avenue sell blown-glass pipes, scales, knives or small glass tubes containing fake roses -- commonly used for smoking crack cocaine. But the owners reached by the Herald said they have no problem with the merchandise being made illegal. "A ban is good for us, too," said Nasir Hesen, co-partner of Hop In, Hop Out, which sells bongs and pipes in the 100 block of 7th Avenue S.W. Police recently raised concerns that they are limited when it comes to controlling the sale of items that could be used in the drug trade if they also have a legitimate use. Burrows said some front-line officers have told him they could use more tools to combat crime. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake