McDaid: Head shops ban will only benefit drug dealers

BANNING synthetic legal drugs, on sale in alternative lifestyle shops, is a mistake and will simply create another layer to the illegal drugs trade, Fianna Fáil TD Jim McDaid has claimed.

The controversial Donegal TD yesterday spoke out on the issue, saying he did not believe they should be shut down or their substances banned as it would simply drive the trade into the hands of drugs dealers.

Head shops have been the subject of much debate recently as they sell substances labelled as plant food or bath salts, but which have the same effects as cocaine and ecstasy.