'LEGAL HIGH' DELIVERY SERVICE OFFERED TO LOCALS

OPPORTUNISTS are hoping to cash in on so-called legal highs by
starting a new head shop delivery service in Dublin 15.

Leaflets have been dropped into hundreds of homes in Dublin 15 to
promote the door-to-door delivery of controversial head shop products.

Head shops have been so far refused leases in Blanchardstown which has
prompted suppliers to come up with a new way of targeting customers in
the area.

The flyer offers home delivery from Thursday to Sunday between the
hours of 7pm and 4am.

The "menu" includes a selection of "roll on" products such as three
grammes of Smoke XXX and Magic Gold for e35 each.

The products, which appear on the flyer like a list of starters, are
branded as "exotic incense blend" and "not for human
consumption".

The "main course" options include two packs of Super E for e15, two
packs of E-Bomb for e15 and a five-pack of Snow Caps for e30.

These are marketed as "plant feed" and "not for human
consumption".

Novelty bath salts are also on offer. Blow is priced at e40 per
gramme, White Storm costs e35 per gramme and Snow Storm e30 per gramme.

Phillip Keegan, chairperson of the Blanchardstown Drugs Task Force
said the delivery service poses a host of risks and dangers to the
public.

"It's incredibly frustrating to think that a flyer and a service like
this could be offered where it's so blatantly obvious that these
products are not what they are marketed as," he told Northside People.

"Who in their right mind would want a delivery service of plant food
between the hours of 7pm and 4am?"

He added: "People haven't a clue what they're buying or who they are
buying it from and that is a serious cause of concern."

Mr Keegan said serious questions needed to be asked in relation to the
regulation of head shop products.

"This service could cause damage to people's health and it may become
a case where the people who are providing the service become a target
themeselves," he said.

Local Community Activist Paul Donnelly (SF) said countless residents
in Beechfield, Ongar and Tyrrelstown areas have contacted him to
complain about the delivery service.

"It's very clear from the layout that these products have nothing to
do with bath salts or plant food," he stated.

"This is about selling potentially dangerous products door to
door."

The contact number provided on the leaflet connects straight to a
voicemail affording the people responsible for the service
"protection, discretion and anonymity", according to Cllr Donnelly.

"Regulation is also a major concern" he explained.

"This is a very dangerous turn of events for our young people and is
of deep concern for all of us who work in the area of education and
prevention of drug misuse in the area.

He added: "I have worked with young people for many years and I am
deeply concerned over this growing problem along with the more
established illegal drugs like hash and benzodiazepines."