Alternative drugs - Clarity is needed

A GREY area surrounding the sale of substances that mimic the affects of cocaine or amphetamines has developed and given cause for concern.

Youth Work Ireland has called on the Department of Health to make a statement on “head shops” – thelegal retail outlets that sell these substances – because so many of them have opened right across the country.

Magic mushrooms bought legally at one of these outlets have been blamed for at least one death already.

We do not have proud tradition of dealing with the misuse of addictive or destructive drugs. Indeed, very few societies have paid a higher price for alcohol misuse. For this very reason we should be slow to use substances that have not undergone rigorous testing and are not clearly labelled.

As with obesity we must to protect consumers but the ultimate responsibility lies with individuals.