<img class="size-medium wp-image-1021 alignleft" src="http://carolinacrossroads.news/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/we-support-our-police-300x198.jpg" alt="we-support-our-police" width="300" height="198" />

This is part of an ongoing series focusing on the role our Police and Sheriff departments play, as we quest for solutions to failing communities, severely depressed economies and a rising tide of violent crime.

We were in the neighborhood and decided to stop by the <strong>Vance Convenience Store</strong> to see if we could learn more about this unfolding story. As you recall, a <span style="color: #0000ff;">previous article</span> reported on the Laurinburg Police drug bust that occurred there due to the alleged sale of Synthetic Marijuana, known as Spice.

The Vance Store is located just a few hundred feet from the Laurinburg Housing Authority's Administrative Office and the Authority's XXXX housing complex.

It was early afternoon and there was a crowd of at least twenty young to middle age males standing out front talking and hanging about. There was also a steady stream of customers coming and going, mostly on foot.

Walking inside, we immediately recognized Yassar Alssiadyhe, one of the arrest-es, and introduced ourselves, asking for an interview. Yassar was warm, friendly, engaging and obliging. We went outside so as not to interrupt customer traffic.

Because the police investigation is ongoing, we cannot share every detail of conversation, but assure readers, there are no deep, dark secrets being withholding.

Yassar is a university educated Civil Engineer who worked for the World Bank in his native Yemen before immigrating the the United States about seven years ago. He is bright, articulate and while conversant in English, is not totally fluent. We and he had to listen carefully and frequently ask for clarification.

Until recently, Yassar had never had a brush with the Law and appears unfamiliar with its process, but optimistic regarding the police, our legal system and his eventual outcome.

Yassar manages the Vance store, plus another in a neighboring town, so he can't be present at all times, especially since the store is a 24/7 operation.

When the store was purchased by present owners it wasn't doing well at all, and given the neighbourhood, hiring and retaining help is an ongoing challenge.

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Laurinburg Police recently <span style="color: #0000ff;"><a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://laurinburgexchange.com/news/4543/clerks-charged-with-selling-fake-marijuana" target="_blank">arrested</a></span> several subjects following a <span style="text-decoration: underline;">month's</span> long investigation into a Vance Street convenience store suspected of selling synthetic marijuana, known as Spice.

Dealing in, selling or promoting illegal substances is never wise. Doing so from a convenience store appears just plain stupid. Any perceived value will now flow directly into the pockets of bail-bondsmen, legal professionals and the prison-industrial complex.

Two suspects appear to be of Middle Eastern origin, which given the current climate, cannot be considered a plus when it comes to garnering sympathy.

How does this story fit into the <strong>Big Picture</strong>?

Albert Einstein defined insanity as: '<em><strong>Doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting a different result'.</strong></em> Change is difficult and disconcerting, but if Laurinburg and Scotland County are to get back on their feet, change is essential.

Was selling marijuana (synthetic or otherwise) from a convenience store actually a 'cutting edge' business proposition? Should suspects be given the 'small business entrepreneur' of the year award?

A growing list of states now permit the legal cultivation, sale and consumption of marijuana. Even our federal government has decided to look the other way. An overwhelming majority of Americans favor this trend, and<span style="color: #0000ff;"> <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/03/24/top-medical-experts-say-we-should-decriminalize-all-drugs-and-maybe-go-even-further/" target="_blank">prominent professionals and prestigious organizations</a></span> increasingly call for not only the decriminalization of marijuana, but all drugs.

How can Laurinburg and Scotland County stop our population from declining further? One certain way would be to not put any more people than needed into the already burgeoning prison system.

Can we successfully attract potential retirees if we're busting potheads while allowing violent crime to spin out of control? Millennials, gen Xers and Baby Boomers all favor decriminalizing marijuana and many other drugs. How long can we afford to push against this wave?

When it comes to fighting crime, Law Enforcement complains about its lack of resources. Does it make sense to commit scarce man-power, time and money to busting, prosecuting and jailing potheads? Can we allow Law Enforcement to squander precious, limited resources? Here's a <span style="color: #0000ff;"><a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://henrymakow.com/2016/03/politicians-up-to-their-ears-i.html" target="_blank">snapshot</a></span> of what our nation's 'War on Drugs' is really about. It's not pretty.

With increasingly negative demographics (depressed economic activity, dismal health ranking, poor educational ranking, rising crime, increasing taxes and declining property values) this is an issue Laurinburg and Scotland County citizens will sooner or later be forced to confront.

There are no easy answers. Here's a professionally produced <span style="color: #0000ff;"><a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://youtu.be/wfxaJQVxSA4" target="_blank">video</a></span> documentary that may help. Let's choose wisely.

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