Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this important issue which is of particular concern. I am alarmed at reports in the media in recent weeks about head shops, although such shops and the products they sell have existed for quite some time. Throughout the country there has been an alarming increase in the number of outlets offering products which, while not illegal, are highly dangerous, according to certain reports, and should not be freely available without any form of control or regulation. They have been described as "legal highs" and "party drugs".

I am particularly concerned about reports from health care workers in the past number of weeks, particularly media interviews with Dr. Chris Luke, a consultant in emergency medicine in Cork, who stated that in one weekend the accident and emergency department of Mercy University Hospital, Cork, had dealt with five cases associated with the use of such products. Four of the patients had to be brought to the hospital by ambulance. Dr. Luke described the reaction as being extraordinarily severe and a number of weeks ago, one girl took three days to stop tripping in the emergency department from the effects of such products. The symptoms have been described as being the classic symptoms of those who use illegal drugs, with reports of psychotic episodes, disorientation and hallucinations.

I visited a head shop today in Dublin and bought the product I have to hand. It cost €30 for five capsules and on the front of the package is written "Blow, intense euphoria, 18 year olds plus". I will leave it with the Minister of State who should pass it over to the relevant Minister. On the back of the package, the product is described as a plant food that is not suitable for human consumption. What kind of legal loophole or regulation is this packaging trying to get around? On the one hand, it promises intense euphoria for 18 year olds only, but on the other, it claims to be only suitable for plants.

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