Lethal legal drugs - Will it take a tragedy for State to act?

IT IS incomprehensible that when gardaí are cracking down on drug barons, pills five times stronger than ecstasy can be bought over the counter in Ireland by anyone over the age of 18.

Due to Government inaction, so-called pep pills containing a substance which acts as a substitute for MDMA, the banned ingredient in ecstasy and speed pills, are being sold openly. The pills are available from ‘head stores’ and stalls at music festivals and gigs across the country.

According to experts, the substance carries a serious risk of dehydration and heat stroke. As a result, a campaign will be launched next year to alert young people to the dangers of getting “legal highs” from pills which are rapidly becoming the drug of choice for college goers and secondary school students.

As of now, the Government has no plans to outlaw this hazardous drug. Must there be a tragedy before action is taken?