Recreational drugs and health information provided in head shops
Divina Pillay, Brendan D. Kelly
The Psychiatrist March 1, 2010 DOI: 10.1192/pb.bp.108.024646 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 10 |
| Population | Head shops in Dublin and their sales assistants |
| Citations | 15 |
| Key findings | Sales assistants in all ten surveyed Dublin head shops described their products as legal and safe. Salvia was stocked in 90% of outlets, with 78% of assistants warning of its potency. Half of assistants said cannabis was generally not harmful, while 50% and 60% respectively said it might cause depression or psychosis in susceptible people. The authors argue that enhanced awareness and effective regulation are required. |
Abstract
Aims and method To determine which recreational drugs are most readily offered in ‘head shops’, and what safety information is provided; and determine sales assistants' knowledge about the mental health complications of cannabis. Researchers surveyed ten head shops in Dublin. Results Sales assistants in all head shops described their products as legal and safe. Overall, 50% stated cannabis was generally not harmful, although 50% stated it might cause depression and 60% stated it might cause psychosis in susceptible people. Salvia was available in 90% of outlets, although sales assistants in 78% warned about its potency. Clinical implications Legal, psychoactive drugs, some of which are banned in other jurisdictions, are readily available in Dublin head shops. Enhanced awareness and effective regulation are required.