Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the effects of his recent anti-headshops laws. [35461/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act, 2010 is part of the Government's multi-pronged approach to targeting the activities of headshops and the sale of unregulated psychoactive substances. The Act works in tandem with the ongoing controlling as appropriate of identified harmful substances by the Department of Health and Children through the Misuse of Drugs legislation and also links in with the HSE's current National Drugs Awareness campaign which is highlighting the dangers of the use of psychoactive substances.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Act, which came into effect on 23 August, 2010, has had an immediate positive effect in vastly reducing the number of 'headshop' outlets open for business throughout the country. And that as of 3 September 2010, only 19 such outlets remained open for business. None of these outlets, to date, have been found or are suspected to be involved in the sale or supply of harmful psychoactive products. Finally, I am assured by the Garda authorities that the situation will continue to be closely monitored by senior Garda management.