Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the investigations carried out on the headshop product referred to as "whack"; and if it will form part of a future ban. [28766/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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In light of the health risks associated with so-called 'legal high' products which were on sale in head shops, the Government made an Order on 11 May 2010 declaring approximately 200 individual substances to be controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, with immediate effect. It is now a criminal offence for a person to import, export, produce, supply or possess these legal high substances. This legislation has had a significant impact on head shops, removing the vast majority of their products from the market, and as a consequence a large number of head shops have closed.

The Government has always acknowledged that attempts would be made to circumvent the legislation. Since these substances were brought under control, other substances contained in products such as 'Whack' have been coming onto the market that are currently not subject to controls under the Misuse of Drugs Act. My Department is working closely with the Department of Justice and Law Reform, the Gardaí, the Customs Service, the Forensic Science Laboratory, the Irish Medicines Board, and others to monitor closely the emergence of new psychoactive substances. I will be seeking Government approval later this year to bring a further range of substances under control.