Written by: Officer Jermaine Galloway, the Tall Cop
August 18, 2024
"Give it away, two for one, or let’s make a deal." Remember the old adage that people don’t give away drugs? Well, that’s no longer true. Today, smoke shops, mall kiosks, and even liquor stores are offering samples, giveaways, two-for-one deals, reduced pricing, or simply meeting any price you ask. But why are they doing this? Is it due to inflation or a desire to be good neighbors? The opposite is true—they have too much product. And by "product," I don’t just mean vapes. I’m talking about everything from Kratom (which can be abused similarly to heroin) to various types of vapes and even "legal" over-the-counter drugs that mimic the effects of controlled substances or hallucinogens.
I’ve attached a few photos I’ve taken in various states over the last few months, including one from this week, to illustrate the point. (I was offered Delta 8 "grab" bags.)
So, why does this matter?
The increasing availability of cheap drugs pushes more people, including youth, into the drug market. In short, more drugs on the shelves mean more addiction and a greater negative impact on mental health. A common example I share is this...if more donut shops open in your city, more people will eat donuts, and none of the shops can raise their prices as they compete against each other—leading to lower prices overall.
This trend is alarming for public health, addiction rates, and the impact of drugs on our highways and schools.