Headshops: More attacks
We’ve been kinda pushed along on this issue this week. You may remember we wanted to sit down and have a serious, neutral discussion about head shops in Ireland.
With the recent attacks on head shops and after seeing a sad post online earlier from a head shop owner about attacks, we felt pushed to talk about it now. We still have one or two interviews lined up on the issue, so expect those in the future.
If anyone else wants to get in contact and chat about this, please do.
One issue we’ve come across is employees of head shops not being allowed talk to us. We’re still looking into getting someone (who can remain anonymous if they wish) to talk from that side.
I can’t blame head shop employees and owners for not wanting to talk about things. The Irish media have really jumped on the witch hunt wagon in many cases.
Look at this opening line from The Examiner about the Head Shop fire on Capal Street.
THE owner of a store selling so-called legal highs yesterday claimed his head shop had been burned down in an arson attack.
It’s lines like the above that appear confrontational or as if trying to spin things. Anytime Joe Duffy covers this issue there is an absolute clusterfuck.
Now of course, most rational people know that Joes show is popular due to confrontations and big arguments.
But the idiots on the street in this country sometimes take what they hear as the word of god and don’t do any thinking for themselves.
And then people suffer.
It seems people want to take the law into their own hands. Mob justice isn’t justice.
Residents in the area have complained about antisocial behaviour outside the shop, particularly in recent months after it started selling legal highs through a hatch overnight at weekends.
Paddy Reilly of C&R Fireplaces, nearby to Nirvana, said the street was “very rowdy”.
The Examiner
Just because residents don’t like it, doesn’t mean they are entitled to commit an arson attack.
Last night the Happy Hippy on North Frederick Street was the second victim in a fire.
Some people are speculating that drug dealers may be behind such fires.
In the course of researching this topic, we have consulted those in the underground drug trade and they have complained of a loss in profits since Head Shops have begun popping up around the country.
The rise in popularity of these legal highs has left the illegal substances out in the cold in many cases.
It would be very simple for more extreme anti-drugs campaigners to pin such activity on dealers and wash their hands of any responsibility. I have to say I’m a little shocked at the attitudes of some people regarding these fires.
If the legal highs go, that just puts more money in the hands of the illegal drug dealers. And they’re a pleasant bunch…
An owner of a head shop posted online earlier today, talking about his fear for the business and his family.
His young daughter was verbally abused by one of these anti drugs types as she closed the shop and she was reduced to tears. His family have received threats. He’s been intimidated, both by the criminal group and the “normal” anti drug brigade. The Gardai have been “less than sympathetic”.
Some of the responses to this man were seriously less than helpful:
If you want to keep making the money, you have to keep paying the price.
Just because your business is “Legal” does not mean it is ethical. These businesses are doing a hell of a lot of damage to their “customers” and it seems they, and you, don’t care.
What’s happening now is as a result of what you are selling, like it or not, and being “legal” should not exempt you from criticism.
If someone oversteps the mark we have a system of Law and Justice to deal with him/her, and you should have adequate insurance to cover yourself.
You should, if you are serious about making a living for your family, consider a more ethical business.
Not all the responses were as bad as the above, and the man did get some good advice, but after a moderator warned people that posts were not being approved and being deleted due to them verbally attacking this man, we got this gem:
they disagree with the sympathy for someone who knowingly sells poison to kids and then whines when people do not like it
This is the kind of thing that drives me nuts in this country. You have this side of the debate, the ones who think they have the high ground, the great morals, yet they attack a man who operates a LEGAL business and sit back and smile when he is attacked.
What kind of rational person can do this?
No matter if you agree or disagree with this mans way of life, or if you disagree with alcohol or cigarettes, it does not give you a license to cause suffering to him and his family.
Today, yet again, the whinging grannies, the moral high ground/high horse brigade and the truly silly folks of Ireland have proven they should not be listened to.
Have a debate on these shops. Ban them. Legalise them. Protect them. Legalise the substances. Tax them like hell. But don’t sit back and let mob rule take over and certainly, don’t let the idiots and old school begrudging holy rollers decide for us.
I don’t like head shops and I don’t approve of the drug scene, but I won’t laugh when a man and his family are threatened and i won’t commit a crime to solidify my point.
Those people should be ashamed of themselves, but they aren’t. They are always right.
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