There has been a dramatic increase in the number of ʻhead
shopsʼ operating around the city selling new legal highs, substances
that in some cases are synthesised versions of banned
drugs.

Gardaí have carried out searches at dozens of so-called ʻhead
shopsʼ as part of an investigation into the licensing of certain products.

The drugs which the head shops are selling are legal at present
but the Government is working to introduce a ban on these shops or
at least introduce legislation to regulate the sale of potentially dangerous
substances.

Parents are very upset that these shops are selling drugs to teenagers
and have highlighted the dangers associated with the products
available in these stores on the Joe Duffy ʻLivelineʼ show. Detectives
have searched premises in Dublin and throughout the country and
have taken away several products for further investigation, saying
there is concern over whether or not the shops that are selling them
are properly licensed.

Several young people are being treated in psychiatric units as a
result of taking these drugs and concerns have been expressed by
medical experts about the dangers posed by the products in these
shops. All concerned are waiting for the Minister for Justice to establish an effective system of inspection and strict regulation and an urgent framework has to be put in place to regulate the operation of these shops.

At present few, if any, of the products sold in these shops have a
list of ingredients on their packaging and many of them are sold with
misleading branding and labelling. And, generally speaking, these
shops do not take out product liability insurance, so if a problem
does arise, the chance of a customer pursuing the matter is extremely
limited. The Government must address these concerns as a matter of
extreme urgency.

Right: The remains of two adjoining premises on Capel Street
which were destroyed by fire recently, one of which was trading as a
ʻheadʼ shop.