Pubdate: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB) Copyright: 2008 Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.edmontonsun.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135 Author: Nicki Thomas CHEAP PIPES FOR SALE Drug Paraphernalia For Sale At Local Dollar Store Outrages Woman A city woman is outraged after she discovered cheap drug paraphernalia for sale at a store across the street from a skateboard park. While her 13-year-old nephew spent Tuesday afternoon at Avenue Skatepark at 118 Avenue and 90 Street, Natasha Dunphy, 19, went to a dollar store across the street with her nephew's mother. The women couldn't believe their eyes when they saw several different types of glass pipes for sale at the counter. "I thought it was disgusting. It makes it seem like they're supporting drug use," said Dunphy. An employee working at Canadian Dollar Store-Grocery said the pipes are used for tobacco and are sold all along 118 Avenue. But Dunphy said there's no mistaking the pipes for tobacco products. The pipes are used to smoke marijuana, crack and meth, she said. Police spokesman Jeff Wuite said this isn't the first time they've had complaints about glass pipes being sold in convenience stores. "Unfortunately, it's not illegal to sell them or else we'd be telling them to stop," he said. Wuite explained that police have a hard time prosecuting this kind of thing because they can't prove the pipes are being sold for drug use. "You could still smoke tobacco or just have it as a novelty or something like that. In order for something to be classified as paraphernalia, usually it means there's drug residue in it and of course, with a brand new pipe that wouldn't be the case," he said. "I don't think they should be allowed to sell them," said Dunphy, adding that she's started a Facebook group to raise awareness about the problem. Wuite encouraged anyone who finds the pipes for sale to let police know and to also express their disapproval to the store owner. "Use your consumer power," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek