Published: Wednesday, 3rd February, 2010 4:59pm
Opposition builds in Kells as 'head shop' opens
by Ann Casey
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Cllr Brian Curran outside the 'head shop' which opened in Kells on Friday.
There has been an angry reaction in Kells to the opening of a so-called 'head shop' in the town over the weekend.
The new shop, which opened in Carrick Street on Friday, has caused great concern to local residents and particularly parents, according to the cathaoirleach of Kells Town Council, Cllr Brian Curran.
He said that, if necessary, he would call an emergency meeting of the town council to discuss the issue and said he was prepared to do everything in his power to have the premises closed.
"I have had a lot of people coming to me over the past few days, particularly people, expressing concern about this premises. There has been a lot of opposition to these types of shops all over the country and Kells is no different, We don't need it or want it," he said.
Cllr Curran said he had contacted both the HSE and Meath County Council to see if anything could be done to have the shop closed. "I want to see it closed. It will interfere with the quality of young people's lives," he warned.
"Parents are very worried and we will be looking to see how the people of other towns have dealt with this problem," he said.
Supt Pat Collins of Kells said the premises was not operating illegally and, until the law changed, premises such as this were entitled to operate. He said the problem existed all over the country.
However, he added that the Gardai would be paying attention to the premises and keeping an eye on what was happening there.
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D reddy
(Unregistered User)
Feb 4 10 12:42
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yes, thats the answer. Call an emergency meeting of the council to discuss this. And do what exactly?
I'll tell you what. Nothing!
its operating within the law so they are powerless. Its pointless getting all fired up over this type of shop when illegal harder drugs are so freely available around the town 7 days a week. Is it a case of if people dont see it then it doesn't exist?
concerned
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Feb 6 10 02:29
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I have listened with intent to the debate regarding the aforementioned headshops that are springing up around the country at the moment and whilst in no way condoning there existence I feel the solution is rather simpler than the effort been placed upon their eradication. Like alcohol or cigarettes why not place a maximum tax on their products in order to discourage those most vunerable. Also, if the products are produced with synthetic chemicals in a controlled environment as mentioned via the media and produce the same effect as the drugs these kids buy on the street wouldnt that diminish the power of the drug lords that have been menacing our society since the 1970's and free up valuable guarda resources. Whether right or wrong it appears that all the arguements being brought forward are health and addiction concerns and neither alcohol or nicotine can claim to have immaculate records in either department. I think it is time again to accept that youth has spoken and intends to continue with its quest for highs whether we like it or not so why not turn the tables and add control to the situation and not send them into the arms of the drug peddlar whose only thought is profit.
concerned
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Feb 10 10 01:40
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In my opinion these drugs are less dangerous than those available in the streets, closed shops problem continues, I think everyone has the option buyer does not force nobody to go there and buy. But he chooses his way of life. As with nicotine and alcohol, and then everything just belong ban, then I would be more controversial nusiteikusiu.Respect 350
so far i know
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Feb 10 10 02:39
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So far I know:
1.Illegal drugs are widely available in Kells (as all the rest of Ireland).. Nobody have a problem with that.. while It's not public - let's keep a blind eye on that.
2.They don't sell to [18, and that's for sure, because imagine you are businessman - because of couple sales you lose your whole business.. Plus they have enough 20-40 years old customers.
3.20-30-ties its a time to have enough brains to experiment with these products and not to loose a head.
4. If somebody loosing a head - I would say 80-90% of these people all ready had a good touch to illegal drugs in their past and for a change/price/potency switched to 'legal highs'.. other 10-20% lets call it natural selection, it will always be that some people are self destructive.. Close head shops, they will find another way of harm themselves..
Little example: I use coke and smoke green from ..aa I don't remember when, but finally my friend tells me that If I will sniff petrol for 15 minutes It will be 10 times better and 20 times cheaper.. I start doing petrol. Would you blame petrol station? If your answer is yes, please open www.google.com, type in 'drugs' and start reading.. read a lot ;)
What
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Feb 10 10 04:18
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so far i know: From the rubbish that your spouting, I have to assume that you were either drunk or high when you typed that c**p. Both?
Ian
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Feb 10 10 23:17
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Legal highs have been sold in Kells since the first pub opened. Why do people insist on drawing a line between alcohol/nicotine and everything else? When did common sense get lost among the scare mongering?
Thousands die every year from alcohol and nicotine, where are the emergency meetings to have the pubs and off-licences shut?
A&E wards across the country are full of violent drunks and the victims of violent drunks every night of the week, yet no one dares to stand up and say 'wait a second, i think this legal high of ours is actually causing a lot of problems'
A few crazy rants on Joe Duffy and there are people gathering in town squares across the country with flaming torches and high horses.
What exactly is this whole 'Head-Shop' issue trying to distract attention from?
Have any of the people demanding the closure of these shops done any research into the products sold, if they have then it would be clear that tackling a couple of dubious products would make a lot more sense than demanding that all shops be shut.
How many people crying out for the banning of legal highs would think twice if their pint of plain and/or 20 Benson and hedges were added to the list?
Lets use a bit of common sense and a heap of educated scientific fact when dealing with dangerous substances and what should and should not be banned.
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