Head Shops
Issued : Wednesday 17 February, 2010
Is there really nothing we, the elected councilors, of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown can do about “Head Shops”? We are after all the Planning Authority busy preparing the Development Plan for our County for the next five years. We are concerned about planning for shopping centres, earmarking sites for schools and deciding how to tackle our housing list. But controlling the opening of “Head Shops”? Nothing!
The latest from the Manager’s office “While the Manager agrees with the sentiments of the submission ( made by the local Task Force) a change in national legislation would be required to give effective control over “Head Shops”. The products sold in “Head Shops” are currently legal. The opening of a “Head Shop” in an existing retail unit does not require planning permission.
A change in national legislation to separately define “Head Shops” (in a manner similar to the amendments to the Planning and Development Regulations in 2005 to control Off Licenses) is required to effect the change suggested in the submission.”
Head Shops have "mushroomed" in recent months, there at the last count approximately 100 in the entire country. They are selling products which are not covered by the Misuse of Drugs Act, but which clearly mimic illegal drugs and have damaging physical and psychological effects on those who consume or inject the products.
Because these shops are not illegal but are unlicensed and unregulated and can sell their products round the clock to minors as well as adults there is serious concern being expressed by the local Dun Laoghaire Drugs Task Force at the failure of the Authorities to take action.
With media reports that €500,000 was found in a safe in the first ‘Head Shop’ burned in Capel Street this seems to be a lucrative business.The criminal community which is involved in the sale of illegal drugs is, undoubtedly, taking a keen interest in the Head Shops too.
Firstly, it is imperative that the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and the Department of the Environment act promptly before there is a national proliferation of such unregulated and unlicensed shops selling such dangerous products
The power to decide what kind of shop can open locally should lie with the local council, Minister Gormley has a role to play here too before there are further serious incidents that would damage property and could endanger life.
Cllr 
