MINISTER FOR Health Mary Harney is to consider banning stimulant drugs sold in so-called "head shops", following her ban on magic mushrooms almost three years ago.
Speaking at an Oireachtas health committee this week Ms Harney said there was a need to expand the control of substances legislation to stop "damaging" substances from being placed on the market in an uncontrolled fashion. She said she intended to take advice on how to stop these products from being sold.
"Head shops", which formerly sold magic mushrooms, sell stimulant products, often marketed as "party pills", that can have the same health consequences as illegal drugs.
Fine Gael health spokesman Dr James Reilly yesterday welcomed Ms Harney's comment, but said he would also like John Gormley to use the planning legislation to restrict "head shops".
