How are kids getting drugs that are legally forbidden to be sold to youngsters?

BY STEVEN KASZAB

Walking on a regular basis throughout my hometown of Bradford, Ontario I come face to face with garbage thrown away by mostly young people going to or coming from school. I am not generalizing but see it constantly in person. Sometimes I attempt to remind them that they are responsible for the proper disposal of this trash, and if it’s a boy, I get rude names thrown at me. The possible “You want me to kick your ass,” routine.

“Is the public sector trusting the private sector in the: management, sale and control of these substances?”

This is not about the next generation’s: foul mouth, bad attitude and inability to keep their environment clean, no sir. It’s about the sort of items I find along the paths used by these kids and directly on their school property. Empty beer, and micky bottles of booze, various packages that once contained weed, gummies, or other drugs kids should not be using.

How are kids getting drugs that are legally forbidden to be sold to youngsters? That is my grievance. Are the sellers not doing their due diligence regarding the sale of these products? It’s not a single gummy I’m talking about, but entire packages of rolled cigarettes (weed) and packages that hold multiple gummies. Who’s the kids “pusher man”, the store cleric at multiple retail outlets, or their older siblings and friends? Are parents determining that their kids can illegally use these substances no matter the health dangers? One time I found a flare gun on school property. Yah! Drugs, weapons, who knows what else our kids carry to school, or on a stroll through the park.

Wait until these same people can drive a vehicle or do a responsible job and they still have the bad habits and attitudes developed as a youngster. Serious thought needs to be applied here by our: society, neighbours, family, and elected officials:

• Is it too easy to buy these items?
• What responsibility does parental guidance place parents legally?
• Are there security cameras and personnel within and around school property?
• Are our laws regarding the sale of these items to underaged people lenient?
• When is the authority to sell and distribute items more a public duty, not a private privilege?