Ennis school concerned over town’s ‘head’ shops

THE retail sector in Ennis has taken a pounding in the last year but the weak economy hasn’t stopped two so-called head shops from opening their doors in recent months.

The products being sold by such outlets have pupils been the subject of controversy nationally over the last week, with Minister of State with responsibility for Drugs, John Curran announcing that he is looking to introduce legislation to regulate them.
RTÉ’s Prime Time TV show this week focused on head shops and parents of children attending St Flannan’s College in Ennis were texted and advised to watch the programme.
School principal Colm McDonagh said it was important that parents be aware of what’s on sale.
“Last night [on Prime Time], it was fairly clear that substances that are on sale legally are akin to cocaine and heroin. People were saying that the products they were selling were not for human consumption and it seemed to be giving them an out that shouldn’t be there,” he remarked.
Mr McDonagh said it was important for parents and teachers to be aware of the realities of what is available to young people and of the views of people involved in the treatment of those with drug problems.
Mayor of Ennis Frankie Neylon said that constituents had contacted him about the premises.
“I have heard a lot of concerns from different people who are disappointed that they are now open in the town,” he said.
Councillor Neylon said that at the next meeting of Ennis Town Council he would be asking his colleagues for their support in writing to the minister regarding the proliferation of head shops around the country.
Green Party Councillor Brian Meaney also said that constituents have contacted him regarding head shops. While he said he wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about the effects of their products, he said that it appears there are very few controls regulating them.
“It appears that there isn’t any legislation surrounding them and that there is no code of conduct that they have to comply with,” he commented.
The Clare Champion visited the local head shops on Wednesday afternoon, but there was no-one in a position to comment on the recent comments made by the minister or the claims levelled on RTÉ on Tuesday.