Greetings!
Does anyone have experience dealing with health and legal related
issues of collecting objects connected with drug use?  My museum
is currently restoring one of two buildings it owns that were
vacant for many years with the exception of homeless people and
drug users.  We have found a number of  aluminum soda cans in the
buildings that were used  as crack pipes.  (Yes, I do know how
they work, but no I haven't tried it). Because these items tell
an important story of the decline and rebirth of the
neighborhood, I would like to add a couple to our collections.  I
am concerned about the potential for health hazards to humans and
other collection items from drug residue, as well as legal issues
stemming from owning these items.  I do intend to contact the
local police department to inform them of my intent and obtain
any advice they might have.  Has anyone dealt with these types of
issues?  Have you cleaned the objects, and if so, how?  What
types of precautions did you take for storage?  Thanks in advance
for your assistance.

Angela Whitmal
Curator
Albany (GA) Civil Rights Movement Museum
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