During the month of December, 2007, the Southcoast Tobacco Control Collaborative and the Fall River Police Department (FRPD) held three different retailer training sessions at the Fall River Police Department Headquarters. These training session were to be completed before the issuance of the 2008 City of Fall River Tobacco Sales permit. These sessions followed a notice that the 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, left and center) Officer Jay Huard looks over some of the banned items under the new drug paraphernalia crack-down at the Fall River Police Department. (Top row, right) Fall River Tobacco Control Coordinator Marilyn Edge, center, records the attendance of holders of tobacco sales permits. (Middle row, left) Officer Robert Jacob holds up a glass tube, often sold with an artificial rose inside, used to smoke crack cocaine. (Middle row, center) Sgt. Daniel Dube introduces the presentation. (Middle row, right) Some of the tobacco sales permit holders listen to the presentation. (Bottom row, left and center) Officer Huard continues the presentation and answers questions. (Bottom row, right) Officer Jacob completes the presentation prior to introducing B.O.L.D. Coalition.director Karen Fischer.