Press Release from
Mary Wallace TD
22nd February 2010

Wallace raises Headshop Issue in Dail Question

“I remain concerned with the availability of ‘headshops’ throughout the Country and particularly ‘headshops’ in Meath which are selling products under the label of ‘legal highs’ or ‘herbal highs’ to young people.” Says Mary Wallace TD

Deputy Wallace continued “As a parent, it is worrying to think that our teenagers can walk into one of these shops and buy these products with ease, as the ‘legal’ tag insinuates that the product is safe. What these shops aren’t advertising are the potential changes to a person’s health from the use of their products. Worryingly, these products can also serve as a stepping stone for young people to move on to stronger substances.”

I have asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps she is taking to deal with the ongoing concerns regarding headshops and the sale of products which have been described as legal highs and party drugs.”

Minister Harney has advised Deputy Wallace that the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and its associated regulations control the import, export, production, supply and possession of a range of named narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances listed in the Schedules to the Act. Substances are scheduled under the Act in accordance with Ireland’s obligations under international conventions and or where there is evidence that the substances are causing significant harm to public health in Ireland.

Deputy Wallace has also been advised that the list of scheduled substances is kept under ongoing review. For example in 2006 Psychotropic (“Magic) mushrooms were banned and their possession and sale is now illegal”.

Following a recent conference on Headshops and “legal highs” organised by Regional Drugs Task Force from across the country Deputy Wallace is pleased that Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, John Curran TD is co-ordinating a Government response across Departments to tackle the problems associated with the proliferation of headshops.

Ends