Angus campaigners have claimed a victory in their fight against the sale of “legal highs” with the closure of one of the county’s “head” shops.
Evape-o-lution in Arbroath, which was raided last month following the seizure of thousands of pounds from its owner, has pulled the shutters and locals who campaigned against the sale of new psychoactive substances (NPS) have vowed to drive the industry from the county.
Laura McKay, whose brother Michael died after developing an addiction to NPS last year, said: “I’m not afraid it will reopen, as everyone who is involved will do everything they can to get it closed.
“I myself would be delighted if the shops were all closed, so it’s not so easy for vulnerable people to access the substances including the youngsters wanting to give it a try.”
Father-of-three Michael, 33, died “looking like a vampire” in Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, due to complications from endocarditis. He had lost four stone in five months, which his family attributed to NPS.
Laura said society’s most vulnerable people are losing their lives to legal highs and every store which closes will protect them.
She said online comments, which state that the shops are merely providing the same service as online stores, miss the point of how vulnerable people can think.
“Yes, the internet has them but the last thing on your mind is to get them on the internet, as you need to wait on them getting delivered,” she said.
Concerned Angus residents formed pressure groups when shops selling the chemicals, which are sold as “not fit for human consumption”, opened in their towns. Montrose and Arbroath Against Legal Highs joined to fight what they described as a “dangerously escalating problem” on their streets.
Derek Wann of the new Arbroath and Montrose Against Legal Highs campaign said residents are jubilant the store is closed but now want the Montrose store to give an assurance that no NPS are on sale.
He said: “We are delighted that the Arbroath shop has been closed, disappointed, however, that Montrose remains open.
“The campaign will continue until legislation is in place to give trading standards and the police further powers.”
And in Montrose, campaigners hoped for a “New Year present”. Local councillor David May had called on the owners of shops selling NPS to “show moral responsibility” and put the health of young people first.
He said: “As a councillor who has been campaigning against these shops for some time, I am delighted to hear that the Arbroath shop is closed.
“I hope that the Montrose shop will also close very soon but there is no sign of that today, as it was certainly open this morning. The closure of the shop would be very welcome and be a Christmas or New Year present for the people in our town, as legal highs not only lead to hospitalisation for many people but also fatalities.
“This would help to rid our towns of what is a lethal menace.”
Chief Inspector Gordon Milne, Local Area Commander for Angus, praised his team for their work against legal highs.
“I remain convinced the supply of these substances from shops in our towns, and in ways which entice young and vulnerable people to experiment and consume these substances, is morally reprehensible,” he said.
Ms McKay said her brother used legal highs to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder, as they were more readily available, cheaper, and a legal alternative to drugs.
“Due to a traumatic experience he went through, he took “highs” as it was cheaper and he didn’t want to go back to prison,” she said.
“Vulnerable people are being targeted, which my brother was, a lost soul. I’m proud of him in each and every way. I accepted my brother for who he was.”