Warning: Novelty [rose in glass tube] aids in drug use

The Des Moines Register ^ | 06/11/2003 | TIM PALUCH, Register Staff Writer

[newgeezer]

It costs less than two bucks.

But police in Des Moines and elsewhere say a rose is not always a rose, especially when the plastic tube makes a perfect pipe for smoking methamphetamine and crack cocaine.

The "love roses" or"sweetheart roses" are typically sold in convenience stores near other impulse items such as cigarette lighters. They're marketed to men as a cheap gift for a girlfriend or mother.

[newgeezer]

Now I wonder how many other convenience store "novelties" are really not what they seem.

[JohnGalt]

Sounds like an urban legend and an out of control, hysterical government to me.

[discostu]

You can't smoke crack from a plastic tube, it'll melt. Journalist desperate for a story obviously just made crap up, probably used to work for NYT.

[Cogadh na Sith]

I knew a kid in high school who used to use an apple and some tin foil to smoke pot.

With a few modifications, brass plumbing fittings can be used to smoke weed and crack.

Where does it end?

[conservonator]

Geez, and my biggest fear was that people would think I’m to cheap to buy my wife real flowers;-)

[bk1000]

Used to make improvised field roach clips from pop-top
tabs. Necessity is the mother of invention.

[Junior]

I had a buddy who could make a bong out of just about anything. Where there's a will, there's a way.

[laotzu]

"Where does it end?"

When all men are law breakers, and therefore subject to governmental sheparding.

[Qwerty]

"Now I wonder how many other convenience store "novelties" are really not what they seem."

I'm surprised at how many people don't know what those tubed roses are for. They're just tiny little crack pipes... look for a hanging display of "chore boys" nearby, as well...

[ArrogantBustard]

I used to know a guy, former sailor, who made pot-pipes out of soda cans. Said it was a Navy thing; they could toss them overboard if a chief or officer showed up.

[Qwerty]

"Sounds like an urban legend and an out of control, hysterical government to me."

It is not an urban legend.

[newgeezer]

You can't smoke crack from a plastic tube, it'll melt. Journalist desperate for a story obviously just made crap up, probably used to work for NYT.

It sure looks that way.

I have to admit, I've seen the roses, but never gave any thought to picking one up (yes, I'm married ;o). But, I'm going to look one over. "Plastic" would seem to eliminate any smoking possibility. I wonder if they're glass, and the reporter simply goofed in stating otherwise.

[newgeezer]

ping

[Qwerty]

"I wonder if they're glass, and the reporter simply goofed in stating otherwise."

They ARE glass. There are some little fake roses that are sold in plastic, but obviously they aren't used for smoking... and they never seem to sell as well as the glass.

[discostu]

He might have had to wait to get into the Navby to learn it, I learned that one in high school. Cheapest pipe I ever saw was tinfoil, it's just that easy.

[Dog Gone]

We should outlaw copper scouring pads, too. And lighters. And matches.

Maybe we should outlaw fire.

[Qwerty]

"I used to know a guy, former sailor, who made pot-pipes out of soda cans."

All you need is a soda can and a knife or pin....

[sharktrager]

This was a big story in Phoenix...

...in '98.

[Labyrinthos]

Never smoked crack, methamphetamine, or anything other than maryjane and tobacco, but I guarantee that I can walk into a mini-mart and find at least a dozen products that I can easily convert to a pipe for smoking "drugs." Lets see, apples, potato, any kind of aluminum can, Tampax dispensers, plastic bottles, aluminum foil, paper towel/toilet paper rolls...