Police in Perth should take stronger action against the “vile trade” in legal highs in the city, according to politicians.
Councillors Alexander Stewart and Peter Barrett both called for police to crack down on shops selling the psychoactive substances.
They made their comments after a seller called for more labelling and clarity surrounding the drugs, and after a Perth man was hospitalised for the fourth time after consuming them.
Mr Stewart, a member of Perth and Kinross Council’s community safety committee, said he would be asking police what strategies they have in place in relation to head shops.
“I think the police should be stronger on these shops,” he said. “I’m asking what strategy they have to ensure vulnerable people are not being targeted.
“With legal highs we don’t know exactly what these substances are. If someone is on medication and takes them the repercussions could be catastrophic.
“We don’t know what the long term consequences of these so-called legal highs are and it is only once they are analysed that their true ingredients becomes apparent. Some even indicate that they are not fit for human consumption and that is why these retailers can get away with it.
“I am very concerned that a number of retailers in Perth City are selling these legal highs without thought to the consequences and I will be writing to Police Scotland to seek clarity on their stance on this situation and what actions are being planned to deal with this potentially life-threatening situation.”
Mr Barrett called on landlords across Perth to reconsider letting to retailers selling such products.
He said: “Enough is enough. The softly-softly approach by the police in Perth isn’t effective.
“It is time that the shop was closed.
We reporteda worker at the This N That shop in Perth had called for a change in the law to allow sellers to discuss the products with customers.
Emma McLaren spoke out after hearing a severely depressed Perth man had been left fighting for his life after taking the drugs.
She said current legislation prevents her from discussing any possible issues with users and called for a classification system.