In a series of undercover reports, News 12's Kristen Cosby questioned a number of local convenience store clerks about selling the roses in glass tubes that police tell us are being used to smoke crack.

But it was this exchange that drew a strong response from one viewer:

Kristen: Well, you know what they're used for, right? Clerk: Not really I don't. To be honest with you I don't. Kristen: I bet he knows what they're used for. Customer: What? Kristen: Those glass roses. Customer: Crack pipes.

Chase in Hephzibah writes:

"Was it because he was black that she "bets he knows what they are used for"? What made her confident enough to bet that he knew? Is it because all black people know about crack and crack utensils? Would she have said the same thing if a young white boy or man was standing there? Would she have made the same bet?" -Chase/Hephzibah

Does everything have to be viewed in terms of black and white these days?

We all know there are plenty of white people who are using crack cocaine.

The point is, that guy just happened to be standing there...and he did know.

Obviously, the better way to phrase the question is: "What about you? Do you know what these things are used for?"

If he had been 70 years old, you can bet he would not have known.

It's about generation, not race.

Focus on that one exchange and you'll miss the whole point...

They're selling crack pipes in convenience stores!

And investigators say selling them does not make their job of fighting the drug problem any easier.

Questions? Comments?

Richard Rogers News 12 Go to http://www.drugsno.com for more drug abuse information.