Phil Prendergast (Labour)

One year later, another inquest found another type of magic mushroom, not banned, was responsible for the death of another young man. It is very difficult to isolate products. I acknowledge and accept this is a very difficult area to police. However, we have entered a new decade and we need a comprehensive response. We do not have such a response yet because the issue is still being examined. My research suggests there are more than 250 different illegal drug substitutes available in head shops. No doubt there are more than that. They are merely 250 already identified by various ways and means, including chemically, through the drug squad, through various laboratories throughout the country and through the various agencies that examine such matters.

Among the product types in question are such stimulants as high caffeine products, cocaine substitutes, hallucinogens and intense euphoria products. Many of these products state they are not for human consumption and head shops can sell them legally. This is an anomaly that must be addressed through several approaches. The Minister of State, Deputy Curran, reminds us the national drugs strategy includes an intention to increase monitoring of head shops. Will the Minister indicate how and whether this will take place? What resources are being allocated to achieve this aim? One characteristic of the Government is it claims to take action simply by stating some agency is dealing with an issue. At the same time, no resources or implementation strategy is developed. Again, that is a major difficulty.

The other prong of the national drugs strategy in this area is keeping legislation under review. As I illustrated earlier, this has not happened. There is an issue of confidence. Will this issue really be tackled head on, or will we see lip-service being paid to it?