To the Editor:

As the health teacher at Lyme Old Lyme Middle School, I have major concerns about the Bestway gas station at 281 Shore Road selling drug paraphernalia.   I truly believe this gives children in this community the wrong message about drugs.

While bongs, glass pipes and other items can be used to smoke or prepare tobacco, even young children know that they are primarily used for marijuana.  Seeing these items sold so openly in a convenience store normalizes the items and can affect a child’s attitude about marijuana.  The message becomes: sure it isn’t good for you, but everyone does it.  This is not true.  And marijuana is not a safe substance, especially for young minds.

In addition, the Bestway sells items used to conceal drugs!  Parents should be particularly concerned about these items.  Do we want a local business helping our children conceal drugs?  It is difficult enough in our current times to protect our children.  We do not need a local business making it easier for them to consume and conceal substances.

The beach area is already struggling with a reputation.  Selling drug paraphernalia in Bestway only adds to this reputation.   Also, drug paraphernalia attracts drug users as customers.   This certainly does not help the beach community remain a safe and enjoyable area.

Please voice your opinion to the owner of Bestway that drug paraphernalia does not belong in our community.

Sincerely,

Patricia Cournoyer

Editor’s Note: The author is the Health Educator in Lyme-Old Lyme Public Schools.

Drug paraphernalia (File photo)

To the Editor:

The CASFY Coalition (Community Action for Substance Free Youth) wants citizens of Old Lyme to know that the owner of the Bestway gas station at 281 Shore Road is selling drug paraphernalia.

We have sent the owner two letters asking him to remove his large display of paraphernalia from his store.  We have followed up with visits and phone calls.  The owner has repeatedly said “no” to us, and also to customers who asked him to stop selling these items, even after telling him they will not buy products from his business until he does.

The Bestway gas station has a vast collection of drug paraphernalia in two large glass cases displaying bongs, glass pipes, scales, and other items for smoking or inhaling drugs, grinders (for marijuana and other substances), “hides”(items used to conceal drugs), and many other items used to consume or prepare illegal drugs.

Here are four reasons to prevent the sale of drug paraphernalia in Old Lyme.

1. Youth who see it in a store conclude that drug use is normal and acceptable. It is not.
2. Drug paraphernalia attracts customers who are drug users, drug addicts, or drug dealers.
3. Availability of drug paraphernalia is a contributing factor to substance abuse in our community.
4. People who are in recovery from a substance use disorder could be “triggered” to use when they see paraphernalia.  A gas station should be a place where someone can reasonably expect to avoid being triggered by seeing drug paraphernalia.

We value local business, but not at the expense of the health and well being of our children.  Protecting our children from drugs and harm is something we take very seriously and we believe our community shares this principle.

We encourage the citizens of Old Lyme to let the owner of Bestway know how you feel about this issue.

Sincerely,

Karen Fischer and Mary Seidner

Editor’s Note: The authors are respectively the CASFY Prevention Coordinator and the Director of Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau.