Concerns over the trade of legal highs in Angus have been taken direct to Scotland’s police chief.
Hundreds of residents in Montrose and Arbroath have joined protest groups against the spread of a “legalised drug culture”, focusing on the county’s so-called “head” shops.
Police Scotland’s Chief Constable Sir Stephen House was visited by local MSP Nigel Don, who told a meeting of top politicians and Sir Stephen’s four deputy constables of his worries.
The catalyst for Mr Don’s words was the recent reopening of a store in Montrose, which he said is selling “dangerous psychoactive substances”.
A spokesman for Police Scotland said Sir Stephen is taking the issue “very seriously”, despite legislation being some way off.
The Montrose shop’s reopening came as a shock to members of the community, who had previously celebrated the closing of a store known for selling these substances, often labelled as plant food and “not for human consumption”. However, an electronic cigarette store had taken its place within weeks and continues to trade in other substances.
Mr Don said: “I understand there were two fatalities only this last weekend. Taking these things really is not a game.”
“Although all drugs come with risks, in the case of these psychoactive substances it is particularly hard to treat any casualties as NHS staff have no idea what an individual has actually taken.”
Concern over the county’s two remaining legal highs retailers Declaration in Arbroath and Evapeolution in Montrose remains despite the closure of a third shop.
Misty Heaven in Arbroath shut its doors following intense pressure from the group Arbroath Against Legal Highs.
A Montrose group was also set up as the war on new psychoactive substances (NPS) gained pace. Its own head shop, High Life, closed its doors recently but was replaced by the new shop selling e-cigarettes.
The Courier revealed police raided the previous shop under a drug search warrant in July last year and seized bongs and pipes.
Police sent a report to the procurator fiscal, seeking prosecution under section 9A(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 which prohibits the sale of items used to take drugs but it was decided there was no case.
MSPs Christine Grahame and Hugh Henry hosted a discussion with the chief constable, the deputy chief constables and the Scottish Police Authority at Holyrood.
A Police Scotland spokesman said the force is tackling new psychoactive substances and the criminal networks often behind their sale.
He said: “The term ‘legal highs’ is misleading and gives the connotation of safety, particularly to young people and tragically, there have been a number of deaths and hospital admissions which have been linked to the use of NPS.
“There is no safe way to take NPS, there is always a risk.
“The only way of staying safe is to avoid NPS altogether. People can never be sure what they are actually taking when they take NPS but they should know the content of the substances vary and can contain controlled drugs and/or other harmful and potentially toxic substances.
“The dangers and risks to health, or indeed life, associated with the consumption of all drugs are significant in themselves.
“However, this is increased further when people mix different drug types together, or when they mix with alcohol.
“Moreover, criminals and organised crime groups involved in the production and distribution of NPS are not interested in the well being of the people who might be prepared to take them.
“Profit is their bottom line they just want to make money.”
While police have difficulty over prosecution due to the lack of specific legislation on legal highs, owners of head shops are being challenged over responsibility.
The spokesman added: “Outlets for these substances continue to be identified and proprietors challenged over responsibility.
“Where offences or other opportunities are identified, these are vigorously investigated.
“Police Scotland… ensures there is an accurate message being delivered to young people across Scotland around substance abuse, including that of NPS.”
Montrose councillor David May welcomed the attention drawn to the issue.
He said: “I have real, deep concerns after I have been told legal highs are still being sold in the town and as a result, I have contacted the police and the council’s environmental health department after worried residents brought the matter to (my) attention.