A former mayor and chairperson of the HSE West’s regional health forum is urging the public to take to the streets in protest over the growing number of head shops operating in Galway.
Councillor Padraig Conneely says a demonstration aimed at heightening awareness of the proliferation of these outlets and putting pressure on the shop owners to close them would be a step forward.
His comments came in the wake of three Westmeath teenagers being hospitalised recently after allegedly smoking an unknown substance during their lunch break. The incident put the spotlight again on the controversy of head shops which legally sell recreational drugs.
The Fine Gael councillor says while other areas have organised protests Galway has been slow to react.
“The situation is getting worse, not better. More and more young people are aware of these shops now and are using them. They are mushrooming. Galway is a city with a young population, we have students from NUI Galway and GMIT so it is in a more dangerous situation than some towns. Many of these students are living away from home and their parents’ influence. Action needs to be taken soon. We can’t just sit back and talk about this and say it’s terrible.
“What we need is more immediate action. I would urge people to take to the streets and talk with their feet. People power works.”
While he welcomes the Government’s decision to ban a number of psychoactive substances widely available over the counter in these shops he fears this may drive these businesses underground.
Cllr Conneely insists more stringent regulations are needed. “While we are waiting for legislation from the EU over the substances sold in these shops we must act. Waiting for legislation is a slow process. There are dangers out there. By the time we get the legislation it may be too late for somebody. It could be a case of closing the door when the horse has bolted.
“The products these shops sell are more in demand and there can be frightening results from their use. They are open late at night, until 2am, when people are at their most vulnerable when they come out of nightclubs and are looking for a further buzz.”
The city councillor urged the Government to take a multifaceted approach to the problem combining an education campaign with the banning of certain products.
“It is important to attack the problem from different angles. I feel an education campaign in second level schools and third level colleges about the dangers of these products would be beneficial, too. Get teachers and parents involved. You have a captive audience in schools.”
Cllr Conneely wants the HSE to take more “proactive” action in the interests of public health.
“They should be more out to the front, they should come out about the dangers involved in this. They have a reputation, people will listen to them.”
Fianna Fail TD Frank Fahey says Ireland is taking a “very proactive” approach to tackling this problem.
“I called for the outright banning of these products at the start of this year. I have met with the Minister with Responsibility for Drugs John Curran TD about it on a number of occasions. There is no doubt that these shops represent a significant threat to young and vulnerable people.”
He outlines the Government is taking a cross departmental approach to the problem and planning and consumer laws are other areas that are being investigated.
“The Department of Health will move forward now and take the necessary measures to ban the products and the Government will notify the EU of the list. By June these products will be illegal for sale or possession.
“The National Advisory Committee on Drugs and the Gardaí will also continue to monitor products that are sold in head shops. Any product that proves to have any detrimental health affects will be added to this controlled list for banning.”
