I am becoming increasingly concerned about reports like this from Scotland… although this law is UK-wide…

In another news item is it claimed that a new law going through the Scottish Assembly could make it illegal for any adult to give “advice on a sexual matter” to teenagers, taken to its extreme it could result in many internet message boards (including this one) being investigated and/or shut down by authorities unless we introduce age controls for Scottish citizens (but it wouldn’t apply to any other parts of the UK?!)

It does seem that Scots authorities are trying to enforce the law harder than the UK.. the biggest irony is that one original argument against devolution was that Scotland would become a rebel nation which was “soft on crime”!

Shops warned about drug equipment
Police are warning shopkeepers of the consequences of selling drug paraphernalia. The move follows the recent conviction of a Glasgow shopkeeper for selling equipment which police believe was going to be used to prepare drugs.

Some £3,000 worth of stock was seized, including bongs, cannabis pipes and magazines about marijuana cultivation.

The Strathclyde force said it was the first conviction of its kind in Scotland, and possibly the UK.

Officers said they were aware that other shopkeepers in the area were selling equipment which they wrongly thought was lawful.

I would urge all shopkeepers to think of the effects these products can have on our communities Superintendent Alastair McKie Strathclyde Police

Each of the force’s divisional drugs awareness officers will now identify and visit shops within their own areas to offer guidance on the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

The act makes it an offence to supply any product which may be used in the administration or preparation of a controlled drug.

If the advice is not taken on board, the shopkeepers run the risk of being charged and having their stock seized.

Superintendent Alastair McKie, the force’s drug co-ordinator, said: “I would urge all shopkeepers to think of the effects these products can have on our communities.

“We are willing to offer advice and assistance regarding the sale of items which are of concern to us.

“In many instances those selling such equipment state that they didn’t know that the equipment would be used to prepare controlled drugs.

“If this is the case then the officers will give advice and the shopkeeper can stop selling the equipment.

“However, if the officer returns to find the products still on sale the items may be seized and the shopkeeper risks being charged.”

Detective Sergeant Kenny Simpson, from the force’s drug squad, said it was not just smoking implements that were being sold.

‘Snorting equipment’

“Snorting equipment, clearly designed for the administration of powdered drugs like cocaine, is also on sale,” he said.

“Some of the shopkeepers claim such equipment is being used for snuff and that the smoking implements can be used for herbal highs, but it would be naive of me to accept that sort of defence.

“Some shopkeepers may also be under the delusion that what they are doing isn’t really an offence as they see others doing it.”

He added that the force’s crackdown was in response to an increase in the amount of drug equipment now being sold.

“Drugs are very much to the fore for young people,” he said.

“There is no point in us taking the drug awareness information into schools when the children can walk down the high street and see this kind of paraphernalia being sold in all kinds of shops.”

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/scotland/4543879.stm

Published: 2005/05/13 11:36:07 GMT

© BBC MMV