Occupy Boston in jeopardy due to drug use

BOSTON -- The Occupy Boston movement has entered its second month in downtown Boston. It has been relatively peaceful thus far. However, a drug danger may be putting the movement in jeopardy.

Crack cocaine can be added to the list of drugs that have allegedly been sold at the movement’s tent city with arrests on Thursday night.

People at the movement have said that drug users and dealers are definitely in the minority, but even they admit it goes on.

Members of Occupy Boston now occupy a local jail after three more people were arrested for selling drugs at the peaceful protests. Boston police said plain clothes officers went to the camp Thursday night to see if they could buy crack. Officers said two men offered to sell some, but they had run out of their supply.

Police said the men then walked the officers to the Pine Street Inn where a third man provided the drugs. Occupy Boston members are aware some drug dealers are here but it is a select few that are a problem.

“It’s not a drug environment…some drug people have crawled in,” said Philip O’Connell.

There was a strong smell of marijuana at tent city on Friday night. The group who was allegedly smoking got a warning from a friend.

Occupy Boston says the drug users are the exception, not the rule.

“I’d say they’re bad apples. We have a policy here of no drugs no alcohol…individuals are free people and they’re going to do what they want to do,” said Bobby Wengronowitz.

Earlier in the week a woman working at the clothing tent at Occupy Boston was arrested for allegedly selling Xanax. Despite the no-drug policy at Occupy Boston, not everyone is following the rules. Leaders say the policy is hard to enforce.

“There are people here that I disagree with on various issues but I think what unites us is really important,” said an Occupier.

Boston Police say drug use in the area has gone up since Occupy Boston arrived.

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