An Aberdeen MSP has written to UK and Scottish Government ministers seeking answers about the “extremely worrying” rise in legal highs shops in the north-east.
Kevin Stewart penned the letters to Home Secretary Theresa May and Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Justice Michael Mathieson, quizzing them on the rise of New Psychoative Substances (NPS), commonly known as legal highs.
In the letters he said his constituents had raised concerns about the health implications of the substances, adding they had been linked to 132 British deaths between 2009 and 2013.
In his letter to Mr Matheson he said: “My constituents are particularly concerned about the growth in the amount of retail outlets that are selling NPS and drug paraphernalia and I’d be grateful if you can let me know whether a licensing regime could be put in place to monitor this type of business.”
Yesterday, Scottish Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs Paul Wheelhouse said the government was trying to tackle the problem.
He said: “We are working closely with the Home Office on the detail of the UK-wide Psychoactive Substances Bill to ensure that Scotland’s needs are reflected and that the provisions for control the sale and supply of NPS are capable of being effectively applied and enforced in Scotland.”
And Mike Penning, UK minister for policing, crime, criminal justice and victims, said: “The landmark psychoactive Substances Bill… will put an end to the game of cat and mouse in which new drugs appear on the market more quickly than they can be identified and banned.”
Mr Stewart’s appeal for action comes after the possible opening of a new outlet for the substances was highlighted by the P&J on Saturday.
Signage with cannabis leaves has been erected and various drug paraphernalia could be spotted alongside notices forbidding under-18s through the window of the new Happy Haze premises on Skene Square.
Harminasion on George Street was shut after police applied for an antisocial behaviour closure order last month but the shop has now reopened under the same name on King Street.
Local councillor Bill Cormie raised concerns about the new Skene Square shop citing its close proximity to the nearby primary school and nursery.