Anti head shop campaign must be run in a measured way

However, head shops, which among other things, sell legal synthetic drugs have been in the news for all the wrong reasons lately. One of the main issues around these shops are cumulative reports that young people are being sold the products and are suffering adverse reactions. But in recent weeks the problem has begun to take on a new and potentially more dangerous hue than just the legal highs they sell.

Gardaí have confirmed that fires in two head shops in Dublin over the past week are now being treated as arson. They say they are deeply concerned that criminal elements are getting involved in the industry as the proliferation of synthetic drugs is eating away at the illegal drugs market.

It is also feared paramilitary groups are jumping on the bandwagon to get protection money or garner community support.

In recent weeks Derryman Ray Coyle was shot three times by a group called Republican Action Against Drugs in his shop, prompting street protests against the group.

These are extremely worrying developments. And while the Government muses over how to deal with the issue, the shops, their owners and staff may become the focus of a campaign by dissident Republicans or anti-drugs activists.

Parents too across the country are mobilising, albeit it in a more civilised fashion. In Castlebar, Co Mayo, yesterday about 100 people turned out to protest over two head shops in the town.

Parents in Roscommon have formed an anti-head shop committee and are maintaining an almost permanent presence outside a head shop there.

Public protest in this form should be commended and applauded, but it must be balanced with information and education.

While the pros and cons of these shops have been the subject of much heated public debate, the fact remains that they are legitimate businesses, many of which, especially in the cities, have operated without any problems or questions for years.

We must question whether drug use among young people is rising because of the head shops, or independently of them. Are head shops the source of the problem or is it a deeper issue that parents need to tackle with their children rather than the business owners?

If head shops close will young people simply get recreational drugs — which seem to now hold more attraction than alcohol for young experimenters — from criminal elements?

Head shop owner Helen Stone, who runs four head shops in Cork and Kerry, said recent comments by Ennis consultant psychiatrist Dr Moosajee Bhamjee warning there could be an increase in suicide and homicide if the shops were not closed down were irresponsible.

And urging people to get up in arms against head shops was dangerous. She said her business, although perfectly legitimate, was being regularly stripped of all its stock by Customs officers. She said her warehouse had been cleared out and stock was held for 28 days. Ms Stone said she would welcome tight regulation in the industry and accused the Government of bowing to public pressure and media spin.

She did concede one legal drug, Mephedrone, which has been causing particularly bad reactions in young people, should be banned.

Ms Stone is a genuine business woman who has been operating responsibly for several years. However, many bad elements are jumping on the head shop gravy train. With so much money to be made, it is clear, whether legal or not, these products are not going away. That is why it is imperative the situation is dealt with in a sensible and measured way.

Source: Jennifer Hough, The Irish Examiner, 18/02/2010