Madam, – Well done to the Government for acting with urgency to bring in legislation that will prohibit the sale of many, heretofore, legal highs. The " Livelinebrigade" has got its way once more. An easy win-win for the two main policy-making groups in the State. And a big win also for our criminal gangs, heavily, if not totally, reliant on underworld drugs money to keep their vast murderous empires ticking over.
No doubt the champagne corks were popping in west Dublin, Moyross and the likes as those who regularly take these previously legal highs are driven back into the murky gangland world to get their fix. Our Minister for Justice said “The safety of the community is being put at major risk by the operation of head shops.”
I am not alone in thinking that underworld thugs do a much greater and far more damaging job of threatening community safety. State-controlled head shops would have provided a chance to police in a more open way those who take drugs, as well as providing a significant, badly-needed new tax intake and weakening somewhat the power of our criminal gangs. Chance lost. But at least the " LivelineBrigade" and underworld thugs will be happy. – Yours, etc,
A chara, – Nice to see the drug- dealing lobby has some clout. Closing these head shops via the legal avenues will be very good for their business, not to mention saving them a few bob on petrol and matches. – Is mise,
A chara, – It is heartening to see the Government taking bold steps to safeguard the jobs and incomes of their constituents (“Legal crackdown forces head shops to close immediately”, Front page, May 12th). Granted, it may be the dealers and thugs who were losing customers who benefit, but at least its a start, right? – Is mise,
Madam, – It’s encouraging to see the Government act so decisively on the issue of legal highs. They cause untold damage to individual well-being, family stability, social cohesion and economic prosperity. To celebrate, I’m now off to my local head shop for a pint of psychoactive substance. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – And so, tens of millions of euro have been transferred by the Government from the exchequer into the hands of criminals. No, I am not referring to Nama but to the closure of head shops.
Not to worry. I’m sure all the law-abiding, tax-paying, concerned citizens who support this new legislation will be more than happy to foot the bill for all the head shop workers who now have to sign on the dole. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – There will always be a demand to escape from reality until we achieve a Utopian society – so governments must act now and legalise drugs. Through regulation and education usage can be reduced. Take the example of tobacco. Because of its legal status, smoking rates have fallen since the adverse effects of smoking became known.
Governments have to rise to the challenge instead of just worrying about votes – they should be concerned with public service and not politicking. It is time to accept that the “war on drugs” is lost and focus on solving the problem by other means. – Yours, etc,