As part of its ongoing efforts to reduce the use of illegal substances in the City of Fall River, the B.O.L.D.Coalition  and members of the Fall River Police Department (FRPD) held a session on January 24, 2008, at the Silvia School for parents on the identification of illegal drug paraphernalia sold in local stores. This session followed recent notice to storeowners that certain items have been deemed in violation of state law: glass tubes which often encase a rose, pen or incense; Chore Boy steel wool; water pipes (bongs); glass smoking pipes; digital and handheld scales; glassine stamp bags; handheld marijuana grinders; and small compartment hides. In early November, B.O.L.D. sent a letter to all retailers asking them to stop selling the glass tube, crack pipe novelty items in their stores. The Herald News published an editorial on November 11th informing the public about the crack pipe problem in Fall River stores. The FRPD and area Chiefs are ticketing store owners who, after due process, continue to sell these items. For more information, contact Tobacco Control Coordinator Marilyn Edge at 508-324-2423 or B.O.L.D. Director Karen Fischer at 508-324-3537.   
 

(Top row) Officer Jay Huard describes to parents some of the banned items under the new drug paraphernalia crack-down at the Fall River Police Department. (Middle row, left) Officer Huard describes the use of such common items as soda straws that parents might find around the house that can be used to snort cocaine. (Middle row, right) Officer Robert Jacob holds an item used to clean glass pipes often sold in neighborhood stores that are used to smoke cocaine. (Bottom row, left) A parent examines some of the paraphernalia. (Bottom row, center) Officer Huard holds up items used to distribute drugs. (Bottom row, right) Parent Peggy Izaguirre examines an item used by dealers to "cut" or expand the volume of drugs before selling them.