Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 795: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the action he will take in relation to the selling of a substance called snow, a legal substance being sold as bath salts but which is being compared to cocaine. [33262/09]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

While I have responsibility for the co-ordination of the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy, my colleague, Mary Harney T.D., Minister for Health and Children, has responsibility for the implementation of the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 and 1984. Regulations made under these Acts control the import, export, production, supply and possession of a range of named narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances listed in the schedules to the Acts. Substances are scheduled under the Acts in accordance with Ireland's obligations under international conventions and/or where there is evidence that the substances are causing significant harm to public health in Ireland.

As the Deputy points out "snow" is not currently scheduled under Misuse of Drugs legislation and I understand that it is being sold in so-called headshops and through the internet.

As part of its work, the National Advisory Committee on Drugs looks at information exchange and risk assessment in regard to new synthetic drugs within EU Member States. The NACD is aware of the substance in question and I understand that it will be considered at the next meeting of its Early Warning and Emerging Trends Sub-committee.

Meanwhile, through an action under the new National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, led by the Department of Health & Children, it is proposed to monitor the activities of headshops, and all businesses involved in the sale of psychoactive substances, with the objective of ensuring that no illegal activity is undertaken.