Ontario Safety League wants convenience stores to stop selling drug pipes

WATCH:  The Ontario Safety League want police to enforce the law against convenience stores in the G.T.A for selling of bongs, pipes, rolling papers and other drug paraphernalia. Alan Carter reports.

TORONTO – Drug pipes and other illegal drug paraphernalia in many convenience stores across Ontario are a serious public safety issue and owners should stop selling them, says an Ontario safety group.

“It is irresponsible and illegal for corner stores to openly sell items that enable drug use right beside candy, milk and magazines,” said Brian Patterson, CEO of the Ontario Safety League (OSL) in a media release.

The group says it has “easily” purchased 50 pieces of drug paraphernalia at different corner store locations across Southern Ontario including in Toronto, Aurora, Brampton, Windsor, Guelph and Ottawa.

“The blatant promotion of pipes and bongs used to smoke marijuana or crack cocaine sends our kids the message that illegal drug use is acceptable,” Patterson said.

The safety group is encouraging the public to sign a petition and report any stores that are selling these items in their neighbourhoods.

VIDEO: Mon, Aug 19: CEO Ontario Safety League Brian Patterson says that drug paraphernalia is a public safety issue and stores should stop selling those items.

Several community leaders have come out in support of the OSL’s efforts including Ontario Liberal MPP Monte Kwinter, Marc Paris of Partnership for a Drug Free Canada and chair of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police Substance Abuse Committee Superintendent Ron Taverner.

“Through this campaign, we are supporting the OSL’s efforts to educate shop owners and parents about the risks these items present to our communities,” said Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police President, Chief Paul Cook. “We encourage parents to be vigilant and keep an eye out for drug paraphernalia at home and in their neighbourhood.”