subject: The Diversity Of Drug Paraphernalia [print this page] Despite the illegality of most drug-related products, drug paraphernalia is a multi-billion dollar-per-year market. One reason why such figures are possible is the blurry line between legal products and obvious tools for drug use. Paraphernalia can be almost anything - a makeshift pipe for marijuana, dollar bills and credit cards for sniffing cocaine, or foil for heating and smoking heroin. Still, most paraphernalia is obviously intended for use with illicit drugs. Needles, bongs, and water pipes have little use other than to allow consumption of their respective drugs. A thorough understanding of these kinds of paraphernalia will help communities to raise their awareness of substance abuse and reduce their addiction problems.
Drugs have been a part of human life since recorded history began. The first civilizations - the Sumerians and Mesopotamians - used marijuana, opium, soma, and many other drugs for medicinal, spiritual, and recreational purposes. Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians also used a variety of drugs in their everyday lives.
During these ancient times, the tools used for consuming most drugs were constructed from wood, stone, bone, and other simple materials. Since there was far less stigma regarding drug use at this time,, these paraphernalia were often adorned with bronze, silver, and even gold. Their use was often celebrated, not scorned, and such tools were often highly valued.
Drug paraphernalia are typically illegal in countries where popular drugs themselves are illegal. Given how easy it is to create and conceal drug tools, these laws are all but unenforceable. They also tend to carry far lighter penalties than possession of actual narcotics or other illegal substances.
However, most discoveries of paraphernalia lead law enforcement agencies to subsequently find actual drugs. The current United States drug laws give police wide discretion on the definition of paraphernalia. Retailers also take advantage of these open-ended laws by labeling bongs, pipes, and other devices clearly designed for illicit drug use as for tobacco use only. As long as these tools contain no traces of resin or other signs of illegal substances, most law enforcement agencies are unable to stop their distribution and sale.
There has been a great deal of controversy over the common police practice of searching for drugs after finding paraphernalia. Many opponents of the practice have declared paraphernalia laws to be unconstitutional because of their lack of clarity and facilitation of Fourth Amendment violations. Certain high-level judges have also declared the laws to be politically motivated by legislators who want to maintain images of being tough on crime.
Overall, the loopholes in the currently ambiguous paraphernalia laws have helped to create an enormous market for drug tools. Still, many people have never seen or even heard of most drug paraphernalia. Here are some of the most common types of tools people use for consuming various substances:
Marijuana
*Pipes of various materials steel, brass, glass, wood, and fake ivory
*Bongs / water pipes People can purchase bongs crafted from various materials, but they often fabricate their own using household items.
*Vaporizers Similar to e-cigarettes, vaporizers allow users to consume marijuana vapor without burning the leaves.
*Hookah a large, waterless bong which people use for both flavored tobacco and marijuana.
*Grinders used to crush and grind cannabis leaves for longer burning, can be made of several materials
*Roach Clips clips which attach to joints to allow smokers to consume the ends without burning themselves
*Scrapers straight edges for manipulating ground-up marijuana
Cocaine
*Straws can be dollars bills, pipes, drinking straws, or anything else which allows for easy snorting
*Straight edges razors, ID cards, and other flat, straight objects used to chop cocaine and arrange it into lines
*CD and DVD cases used as flat surfaces for cutting and arranging lines for snorting
*Sandwich bags often used to store small, precisely-weighed amounts of cocaine
*Blackened spoons / silverware used for heating cocaine in the manufacture of crack
Meth
*Simple pipes and straws can be made from tinfoil, aluminum cans, and other household materials, qualify as paraphernalia if found with meth residue
*Hollowed light bulbs used for heating and inhaling meth through a straw
*Scales used by dealers to weigh their sales
Heroin
*Hypodermic needs
*Manufactured and makeshift pipes Most heroin users prefer to inject, but some will smoke if they cant find needles.
*Tourniquets various strong and elastic bands used to engorge veins for easy injecting
If you have discovered any of this evidence, or if you are struggling with drug problems of your own, use the links at the bottom of your screen today for a no-obligation consultation. Our dedicated addiction specialists are standing by to take your call and guide you down the road to recovery. Dont wait until its too late get help today.
