Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Health his views on a tobacco product (details supplied) sold in head shops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2651/12]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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I am informed that the legal high product known as "Mad Alice" usually contains a substance called RCS-4. RCS-4 is a cannabis-related substance which was first reported in the EU in 2010. The Garda National Drugs Unit has informed me that RCS-4 first came to its attention in April 2011, following a seizure of the substance.

On November 1st 2011 the Government declared a range of approximately 60 legal high substances to be controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Acts. Under this Declaration Order, a number of cannabis-related substances, including RCS-4, were controlled. Since November 1st 2011 it is an offence for a person to manufacture, import, export, supply or possess RCS-4 or products such as "Mad Alice" containing RCS-4.

I am also informed that the Garda National Drug Unit continues to monitor the few remaining 'headshop' outlets closely and, at this time, there is no evidence of this product being available for sale in these outlets. My Department works closely with the Department of Justice and Equality, the Gardaí, the Customs Service, the Forensic Science Laboratory, the Irish Medicines Board, and others to monitor the emergence of new psychoactive substances.