Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Councillor hears mounting concerns about proliferation of "Head Shops" at major Addiction Conference

Published: 30 March, 2010

Newry & Mourne Councillor Pat McGinn pictured with Armagh GAA Alcohol Substance Abuse Prevention Programme Co-ordinator John Moley at the recent Conference in Croke Park

Newry & Mourne Councillor Pat McGinn pictured with Armagh GAA Alcohol Substance Abuse Prevention Programme Co-ordinator John Moley at the recent Conference in Croke Park

Councillor McGinn explained, "Legal drugs, often referred to as 'legal highs', are substances used like illegal drugs such as cocaine or cannabis, but are not covered by current misuse of drugs laws," he continued "Concerns have mounted in recent times about the proliferation of so called "Head Shops" throughout this island. There are now reported to be up to one hundred of these shops selling a range of products, which they claim give a legal high. Many of the products are considered to be potentially unsafe for human consumption. Suggestions from the owners of such establishments that many of their products are herbal in nature and therefore harmless are nonsense; many lethal toxins are natural and herbal in nature. They also claim that their products are less harmful than alcohol but this is unproven in many cases".

The Sinn Fein elected representative said that "Legal Highs" posed a very real threat to the health and well being of all, in particular young people. "Many people wrongly assume that these substances, for example Mephedrone are safe because they are currently legal. This couldn't be farther from the truth" said the Councillor and he added his voice to the growing call for resolute government action on so called "Head Shops".

"There must be comprehensive measures introduced to address the problems surrounding non medical psychoactive substances or 'legal highs'. Sinn Fein have proposed a stringent substance control model as a consequence of which head shops as we know them, could no longer exist. Our proposal involves the establishment of an independent authority who would be tasked with regulating the import, production and sale of all psychoactive substances other than those that are currently covered by existing legislation. The authority would work with the existing drugs bodies and the Department of Health to introduce and enforce a licensing system under which substances can be quickly identified and restricted or prohibited as appropriate".

Concluding the Newry and Mourne Councillor said that it was vital to get communities, parents, schools and young people on board to help spread this message and protect young people.

"In most cases these substances have never before been used as drugs. They have not been tested to show their physiological or psychological effects. Only by being honest and open with young people and having these conversations about the effects drug use has on both society and people's health can we hope to prevent more young people from being pulled into the world of drug addiction. This work however can not be done alone"