Home > Recreational drugs and health information provided in head shops.

Pillay, Divina and Kelly, Brendan D (2010) Recreational drugs and health information provided in head shops. The Psychiatrist, 34, pp. 100-102. 10.1192/pb.bp.108.024646.

External website: http://pb.rcpsych.org/content/34/3/100.full

Aims and method:
To determine which recreational drugs are most readily offered in ‘head shops’, and what safety information is provided; and determine sales assistants’ knowledge about the mental health complications of cannabis. Researchers surveyed ten head shops in Dublin.

Results:
Sales assistants in all head shops described their products as legal and safe. Overall, 50% stated cannabis was generally not harmful, although 50% stated it might cause depression and 60% stated it might cause psychosis in susceptible people. Salvia was available in 90% of outlets, although sales assistants in 78% warned about its potency.

Clinical implications:
Legal, psychoactive drugs, some of which are banned in other jurisdictions, are readily available in Dublin head shops. Enhanced awareness and effective regulation are required.


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