AYR HEADSHOP SELLING DRUGS PARAPHERNALIA

Drugs, bongs, pipes and grinders are all blatantly on offer at a town
centre shop.

Heads of Ayr, which brands itself as Ayr's only head shop, is selling
controversial but legal drugs and paraphernalia.

And the kit is all openly advertised in the Carrick Street store window.

The opening of the shop comes in the wake of a stern warning from health
chiefs about a white powder branded Moonshine.

The plant food has fast become the latest craze among revellers in Ayr -
with several youths being rushed to hospital after taking it.

The shop sells various other legal highs with illegal drug references.

They include herbal mixtures like Foo King Ez and Hurricane Charlie - a
white powder which can be snorted the same way as cocaine.

Bombay Blue, which is for sale at ?30 - an Eastern incense which can be
smoked in the same way as cannabis or marijuana.

Stardust is sold as bath salts but can be taken in the same way cocaine
is. It is sold for ?20 a sachet.

But police are urging people to steer clear of the products.

And trading standards have confirmed that they are looking in to the legal
highs.

Inspector Kevin Owens, from Ayr police office, said: "Just because
something is sold as legal doesn't necessarily mean it's safe. There have
been cases reported of people becoming seriously ill or dying after taking
products sold as legal highs.

"Provided shops operate within the law, they are entitled to sell what
they wish. However, if anyone is offered a substance providing a supposed
legal high, I would urge them to report the circumstances to their local
police office."

David Thomson, trading standards manager, said: "We are currently
investigating the sale of products that are described as bath salts or
plant food that are a matter of public concern.

"We are awaiting the results of tests being carried out on the products.
If the results show the product is suitable for sale over the counter to
the public we will work with the manager of any shop to ensure they are
within the law. Otherwise it will be a matter for Strathclyde police."

"It is paramount that purchasers are aware of what they are buying, we
would be advising any retailer to sell it responsibly, with clear warnings
and instructions for use. We would also be urging sellers to operate a
voluntary age restriction."

But town centre councillor Bill Grant says he has faith in the young
people of Ayrshire to do the right thing.

He said: "This is not something we want in Ayr and I am dismayed and
disappointed to see it.

"They say money is the route of all evil and I fear that is the case here.
I am saddened that someone would retail products like this to make money,
I find it abhorrent.

"But I think we can trust the young people of Ayr to see past this scam.
We often underestimate them but they don't want to damage themselves so I
would put a deal of faith in them."