Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Last Thursday I drew the attention of the House to the motion proposed by Senator Norris and seconded by me, which read: "That Seanad Éireann urges the Government to introduce legislation aimed at regulating the sale of dangerous, non quality controlled and indeterminately compounded substances through so called 'Head Shops' ". The Leader kindly agreed to take the motion if there was all-party support for it. I have spoken to every party in the meantime and the motion now has the support of Senators Cassidy, Fitzgerald, Alex White and Boyle. Therefore, I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that motion No. 21 be taken first today without debate. It is fair to say that what we are discussing is high street drug peddling. While "head shops" might not be breaking any law and are, de jure, legal, de facto they go against everything contemplated in the control of substances. As someone who worked for many years in Irish and European anti-drugs structures, this is appalling. In order that people will understand, we are discussing circumstances where minor changes are made to substances which are then made freely available on the high street. There can be psychotic and damaging consequences for young and old people of all descriptions. This not only leads to difficulties for society but also to deaths. It is beyond belief and totally unacceptable that such substances are not controlled. I have studied this area again during the past week. The substances in question are far more dangerous than some of the items outlawed by legislation. This is exactly like the development of LSD and other psychedelic substances in the late 1950s, 1960s and 1970s that were then named and outlawed. There are substances now which are equally as damaging. As well as approving the motion today, it would be very helpful for us to have a debate on the issue at an appropriate time as it pertains to all counties throughout the country.

The Garda drugs squad is trying to deal with drug peddlers but this creates the same human and social difficulties, although there may not be crime involved. The issue must be dealt with, regulated and controlled immediately.