Time for Action on Head Shops
Published: 7 February, 2010
Sinn Féin Councillor, Thérèse Ruane, is extremely concerned by the increasing numbers of young people presenting to health professionals with mental and physical health issues following the use of so called 'legal highs' sold in 'head shops'. Cllr Ruane has tabled a motion for discussion at the monthly Town Council meeting on Thursday night calling for the strict regulation of these shops because of the dangers of the products they sell. The government must address these concerns as a matter of extreme urgency before a young person in this country loses their lives.
Thérèse Ruane said:
"Here in Castlebar, we have two head shops, situated in close vicinity to schools. I have been contacted by many parents, teachers, addiction counsellors, who are very concerned about the impact these substances are having on our young people.
I think it is particularly disingenuous and deceiving the use of terms such as 'legal highs' as many young people believe that these lethal substances are safe, as a result. This certainly is not the case; the numbers of distressed young adults and teenagers presenting with symptoms of chest pain, delirium, depression, paranoia and psychotic symptoms following the use of so called 'legal highs' continue to rise.
First and foremost, we need the immediate ban of Mephedrone, a substance already banned in Norway, Finland, Israel, Denmark and Sweden, and a controlled drug in Germany. This drug, which is sold as a white powder, in capsules or pills has a similar effect to amphetamines and ecstasy and has been linked to a number of deaths. It was introduced here after the drug BZP was made illegal in March 2009 and is sold over the counter here as either bath salts or plant food. It carries a health warning advising that it is 'not fit for human consumption'. This kind of misleading branding and labeling is common; the reality is that, few, if any, of the products sold in head shops have a comprehensive list of ingredients clearly identified. Young people are being sold chemical cocktails of unknown substances with devastating effects.
"So, why are they legal? Head shop products remain technically legal because they can't be generically prohibited. This is the nub of the problem. Take for example, an illegal chemical drug such as cocaine or BZP: by changing one component or 'tweaking' the chemical compound of this drug, this makes the 'new' substance legal. Hence, it is very difficult to legislate against; by the time a substance has been banned, the damage has been done and a new similar alternative is on the market being sold over the counter again. We must introduce legislation to ensure that any derivative of a banned substance be kept unavailable for sale until it has been analyzed and approved safe for consumption.
"I believe strict regulation is needed as a matter of urgency. Head shops should be subjected to rigorous health and safety, produce description, product liability insurance and commercial/trade regulation. In addition, our planning laws can play their part in restricting the opening of head shops in the vicinity of schools, youth centres, for example, to protect our young people. I believe that specific planning legislation to cover head shops is needed."
"Of course, we also have to look at the buying of these substances online over the internet for personal or commercial use. Guernsey, for example, has introduced legislation making it illegal to import or export any amount of named substances unless a license has been issued."
"It's time for action. The government must address these concerns as a matter of extreme urgency before a young person in this country loses their lives."
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