Headshops Legislation won’t keep up with production of new substances – Ó Snodaigh

Speaking this afternoon as the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010 came into operation as new legislation, Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Justice Aengus Ó Snodaigh described the new provisions as simply too short-sighted.

He said:

“The provisions of this Bill still do not address the problem adequately to stamp out the ever-evolving crisis. As it stands, it will not sufficiently tackle the changeable nature of the problem. The new legislation is simply not up to the task. The provisions are too slow and too cumbersome.

“Since the May ban took effect which proscribed a list of lethal substances; more new drugs have been speedily invented to replace them. Sinn Féin anticipated that this would be the case and so in April I published the first piece of legislation to comprehensively address all the psychoactive substances sold from head shops, via the internet and by home delivery into the future.

“It was and remains my strong view that an infrastructure, bringing together the experience and expertise of Scientists, the medical profession, the pharmaceutical industry, those working in the area of addiction treatment, the community and Gardaí, is needed to keep pace with the multi-million euro legal highs research and development industry. A longer term solution needs to be put in place.”

Source: www.sinnfein.ie28/03/2010