Dealers are targeting young school children and will even make home deliveries within a few minutes, writes Claire Mc Cormack
A hidden epidemic is lurking in school playgrounds and street corners throughout rural Ireland as a new wave of psychoactive drug abuse sweeps up risk-taking teenagers, the Sunday Independent can reveal.
Over the past 18 months, counsellors at drug treatment centres in Cavan and Monaghan, and some midland towns, have become increasingly alarmed by the number of young men and women, some aged just 15 years, presenting with "chaotic addiction" to 'New Psychoactive Substances' (NPS) - chemically produced narcotics that have a profound effect on the brain.
Synthetic cannabis, sold as 'K2 Spice', 'Blueberry Mix' and 'Clockwork Orange,' among others, is a major concern.
Community workers describe the substances as "more problematic" and "more dangerous" than the real thing. They say people are mainly buying their drugs online.
Although the Government banned all substances with psychoactive effects in 2010, drug workers say "it's easier than ever" to source former 'head shop' highs.
They believe the rise in NPS use is "directly linked" with the demise of rural Ireland and the scourge of youth unemployment over the last five years.
Driving through the main streets of Cavan town on a sunny Friday afternoon, all appears well. The shopping areas are busy, traffic is bumper-to-bumper and helpful locals are happy to offer directions with a smile.
Source: Claire Mc Cormack, Irish Independent, 15/05/16
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