Council chiefs in Aberdeen have adopted a new tactic in their battle to crack down on so-called “legal high” shops in the city.
The local authority has started identifying and writing to the owners of the stores, urging them to terminate their lease with those selling the drugs.
Councillor Ross Thomson, the leader of the Conservative group, called for the action in talks with city council chief executive Angela Scott.
So-called legal highs contain chemical substances that produce similar effects to illegal drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy.
Medics at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary reported in July that they were treating someone every single day for the after-effects of taking over-the-counter psychoactive substances.
Mr Thomson said there were currently five stores selling the products in Aberdeen, at King Street, Union Street, Palmerston Road, and two at Aberdeen market.
The Hazlehead-Ashley-Queens Cross councillor said: “I felt like I’d exhausted every option through trading standards and the police.
“They’ve done everything they can do in terms of having been in the property and inspecting the products, and the police are building up a case regarding anti-social behaviour.
“So that’s why I suggested we find out who owns the property, who is leasing it out, and when they find out they put pressure on them, ask if they are aware of what is being sold in their premises and find out if they are comfortable with that.
“The council is going to be writing to the owners to explain the concerns that the council and the community have, and I hope that puts pressure on the people involved to take action and terminate the lease.
“I think that this is just the start of more action from the council. We need to be doing everything we can to eradicate it.
“I think there’s a moral responsibility on the owner.”
More than 800 people have signed an online petition calling for the immediate closure of the Harminasion store on King Street.
It is understood that the council has now identified the owner of the shop and plan to make contact.