Members of Sligo Borough Council and Sligo County Council have called on the Government to introduce as a matter of urgency the necessary legislation for the strict regulation of 'head shops' and the substances sold in them.

One Councillor said he would like to see such outlets closed, claiming that they brought "nothing but continued misery."

Speaking at the Borough Council, Councillor Chris MacManus added that the way the law was set up, all that had to be done was to slightly modify products that were prohibited to take them out of the illegal realm.

He was supporting a motion tabled by Councillor Declan Bree, who also proposed a similar motion at Sligo County Council.

"My personal view is that these shops should not be operating anywhere within our midst. There is no form of licensing and they are opening unsocial hours. I believe that at least one is now providing home deliveries," said Clr. MacManus.

Speaking at both local authorities, Councillor Bree said he believed that there was an urgent need for the Government to introduce legislation for the strict regulation of 'head shops.'

These shops specialised in the sale of 'legal highs' which contained legal substances used to mimic the highs of their illegal counterparts.

"One of the main issues around these shops are cumulative reports that young people are being sold products and are suffering adverse reactions," said Clr. Bree.

He noted that Child psychiatrist Dr. Bobby Smyth of the HSE recently said that the use of legal highs was becoming increasing prevalent among teenagers and there was a marked increase in the numbers of young people seeking help after using 'head shop' products.

Dr. Smyth had pointed out that the numbers presenting to his service with head shop related problems had increased from one per cent of his patients in 2008 to seven per cent last year, and could top twenty per cent this year.

"Doctor Jean Long of the Health Research Board has pointed out that a number of new substances had appeared in head shops in the past year and she spoke of Mephedrone, a substance which is being used as a substitute for cocaine.

"It is generally recognised that while Mephedrone is legal it has been causing particularly bad reactions with young people," said Clr. Bree.

"Of course we must ask the question whether drug use among young people is rising because of the head shops, or independently of them. Are head shops the source of the problem, or is it a deeper issue that parents need to tackle with their children ?" he asked.

Councillor Bree said there was clearly a problem that needed to be addressed.

Drug consumption helped create a culture of dependency, of addiction and was was having a huge knock-on effect on the people who were using them, and their families.

"Obviously, it is important that the issue of head shops should be dealt with in a measured and mature way.

"I believe the Government has an obligation to fully investigate and look at the type of products that these outlets are selling and the impact they are having on those who use them," he said.

Councillor McLoughlin added his support to the motion, with Councillor Veronica Cawley said head shops were becoming extremely popular.

"People will try things and we must ask is there a need for more recreation and sport," she commented.

At the County Council meeting, Clr. Bree's motion was seconded by Councillor Hubert Keaney.

The motion was also supported by Councillor Veronica Cawley, who said head shops had been around for a while and it was only in the past six months that they had got a lot of publicity.

She said the 'footfall' in those shops is believed to be amazing.

"It is interesting to see the demand for them and how popular they are and they are thriving businesses. What we have to do is to stop the demand. It was drink and drugs and now its head shops," Clr. Cawley added.

Councillor Dara Mulvey thought education was the way forward.

"There are more head shops than post offices in Ireland and we need to educate the youth that there is another way and that sport is the way ahead," he said.