Fine Gael Cork South Central Senator, Jerry Buttimer, has welcomed the decision by the Committee of Community, Rural and Gaelteacht Affairs, to take his suggestion that Minister for Drugs, John Curran, be brought in to answer questions about head shops. There will be a debate on this issue in the Seanad next Wednesday, which Senator Buttimer sought and will be contributing to.
“I am happy to see that the Committee on Community, Rural and Gaelteacht Affairs, of which I am member, has agreed to call the Minister in to discuss the very pertinent issue of head shops. It is imperative that the Committee is informed first-hand of what government policy is regarding head shops and what the Minister intends to do.
“I, as Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson on Drugs, am calling on Minister Curran, and Minister Harney, to state when the Government intends to introduce legislation to regulate head shops and make harmful products illegal. These shops have started to appear in every community in Ireland and some of the products that are sold are lethal and have been banned in other EU countries.
“Families are being destroyed and the mental health of our young people is being severely impacted. Young people are looking for escapism through these tough recessionary times and they are turning to head shops which are offering them choices with sometimes grave consequences.
“The Minister must bring in legislation to regulate these shops immediately, stating the list of products that are to be banned.”