456. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice if the gardaí are aware of HHC cannabinoids being sold in vapes in Ireland; and if there have been any investigations into its sale in vape shops. [30556/23]

Helen McEntee Minister for Justice: As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including for all investigative matters. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977/84.

As the Deputy will also be aware, the Department of Health leads on Government policy in the area of drugs, and this policy is guided by the national drugs and alcohol strategy "Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025 ". This strategy represents a whole-of-Government response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland.

Implementation is led by my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Hildegarde Naughton, and encompasses actions for all stakeholders, including An Garda Síochána and my Department. Further to this, the Misuse of Drugs Act falls under the remit of the Minister for Health.

An Garda Síochána advise that HHC is the first semi-synthetic cannabinoid reported in the EU and has been monitored as a new psychoactive substance (NPS) by the EU Early Warning System since 21 October 2022.

I can inform the Deputy that An Garda Síochána are represented on the Early Warning Emerging Trends Committee which was convened under Action 3.3.38 of the National Drugs and Alcohol Strategy 2017-2025, which is delivered by continuing to develop systems to monitor changing drug trends in line with the EU Early Warning monitoring system.

I have also been assured that An Garda Síochána continue to target those involved in the sale, supply and cultivation of controlled drugs in Ireland through operational initiatives such as Operation Tara, which is a nationwide operation launched to have an impact on all illegal drug activities.

_______________________________

Dáil Éireann debate. Questions 620, 621, 622 - Healthcare policy

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2023-06-27/620/#pq_620 

620. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health to outline the response to the use of synthetic cannabinoids in vapes; and if there are any investigations into the use of cannabinoids in vapes. [30553/23]

621. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if he will outline any information that the HSE has in relation to HHC cannabinoids in vapes; and if there are any recent investigations by the HSE into HHC use in Ireland. [30554/23]

622. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health If there are any plans to issue harm reduction educational material in relation to HHC. [30555/23]

Hildegarde Naughton Minister of State at the Department of Health: I propose to take Questions Nos. 620 to 622, inclusive, together.

The National Drugs Strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, ‘A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025’, sets out a health-led approach to drug use. The strategy supports high quality monitoring, evaluation and research to ensure evidence-informed policies and practice.

Ireland has good information on substance misuse. Routine monitoring provides the information on the nature, extent and consequences of substance misuse needed to formulate evidence-informed policy, plan services and measure the effectiveness of the responses to this problem. In fulfilment of both European and national requirements, Ireland’s monitoring system collects and analyses data on drug use in the general and school-going population, treatment demand, high-risk drug use and on consequences, such as infectious diseases, deaths and overdose. nd has good information on the substance misuse situation at a national level. Routine monitoring provides the information on the nature, extent and consequences of substance misuse needed to formulate evidence-informed policy, plan services and measure the effectiveness of the responses to this problem. In fulfilment of both European and national requirements, Ireland’s monitoring system collects and analyses data on drug use in the general and school-going population, treatment demand, high-risk drug use and on consequences, such as infectious diseases, deaths and overdose.

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) was first identified in Europe in May 2022 and was put under intensive monitoring at the end of 2022 by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). It is the first semi-synthetic cannabinoid reported in the EU and has been monitored as a New Psychoactive Substance by the EU Early Warning System since October 2022.

Early warning in Ireland is co-ordinated by the EMCDDA National Focal Point and the Early Warning, Emerging Trends (EWET) working group chaired by the Department of Health. EWET continues to monitor the emergence and use of this substance in Ireland. At present, there is limited information on the availability and use of HHC in Europe.

According to a small number of laboratory studies, HHC appears to have broadly similar effects to THC, the main psychoactive substance in cannabis. The pharmacological and behavioural effects of HHC in humans have not been studied, although recent anecdotal reports from consumers indicate that its effects might be similar to that of cannabis. The EMCDDA has responded to the potential public health and social risks from this new substance with a range of actions, including the production of a technical report in April 2023. 

The HSE will add content about HHC to its website Drugs.ie but this information will be limited to the information available from the EMCDDA. The core messaging relating to HHC should highlight that there is limited available information and very little known about the risks associated with this substance and the extent of its use in Ireland. There was no evidence during recent nighttime economy drug monitoring initiatives of use of HHC at festival settings. The HSE will continue to liaise with the EMCDDA and the Early Warning and Emerging Trends (EWET) group chaired by the Department of Health for further direction on this substance.

With regard to synthetic cannabinoids, the HSE has comprehensive harm reduction information about the substances available on drugs.ie, www.drugs.ie/synthetic_cannabinoids_in_ireland_hse_update_october_2021/

The HSE also issued an alert regarding cannabis edibles contaminated with synthetic cannabinoids earlier this year, which can be found at: www.drugs.ie/news/article/hse_drug_trend_risk_communication_on_cannabis_jellies_adulterated_with_synt. The HSE is not currently conducting research on cannabinoids in vapes.