Principal's fears over Headshops
concern at the presence of two so-called 'Headshops' in the town. Emmanuel McCormack of Abbey Vocational School says he has no doubt some of his pupils have already tried out the 'legal high' products on sale in the local outlets.
The Principal of a Donegal Town secondary school has spoken of his
He was speaking ahead of a special information evening organised at the school last night (Monday). Parents were invited to attend to find out more about drug and drink awareness as well as the ongoing Headshops issue.
Mr. McCormack said when the idea of a special meeting on Headshops was first raised a couple of months ago, he was surprised at how many parents didn't know what Headshops were.
But he says the media attention that such outlets have been getting in recent times has changed all that.
"We're inclined to think now of Headshops being available in big towns. It's strange that there are two of them able to function in what is regarded as a fairly small town, Donegal Town," he said.
Asked if he knew of any of his own students who had bought 'legal highs' themselves, he said: "With the whole curiosity factor of what's available there, the law of averages would suggest there are students who have - as would be the case at other schools as well."
He added: "What I don't like about this is the term 'legal highs'. People assume that legal means safe - and certainly until the discussions in the media over the last few weeks, there were parents and young people out there who would have looked at legal highs and thought, they can't do you any harm.
"The availability of anything which alters the chemistry of the brain would worry me big time and there is no doubt there is strong evidence there from parents' accounts (in the national media) of their own sons' personality changing and changing dramatically.
"People who there was never a peep out of, becoming violent all of a sudden - that bothers me big time when you hear that directly from a parent."
Already this year, the school hosted a special talk for fourth years on drink awareness, an event that was facilitated by Tabor House, Donegal (White Oaks Centre). Following on from the success of that event, last night's meeting was arranged for parents, teachers and members of the Parents Association.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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