No laughing matter: Call for action over nitrous oxide dangers
Fears have been raised about the increasing numbers of young people using "life-threatening" nitrous oxide across the Black Country and Staffordshire.
Canisters of the substance, also known as laughing gas, are found across beauty spots, with teenagers using them for a fix.
The increase in the number of discarded canisters being found has promoted political leaders to demand stricter controls and greater punishment for those who deal in them.
Fears have been raised directly with Home Secretary Priti Patel, and leaders have called on parents of teenagers to talk to their loved ones and make them understand the seriousness of the issue, which in extreme cases can be fatal.
West Midlands Police chiefs have also called for raised awareness of the substance, with bosses forming a partnership with Dudley Council to crack down on the issue.
Discarded silver canisters are found dotted across parks and open land in the region, with some areas "more prevalent" in the use than others.
Jane Stevenson, MP for Wolverhampton North East, said she had raised the issue with the Government after becoming "really concerned" over the number of canisters.
Ms Stevenson said: "I know many parents in Wolverhampton are concerned about the growing use of nitrous oxide by young people and I have raised these concerns with the Home Secretary directly.
"Throughout lockdown, our parks and streets have been littered with the discarded silver canisters that the gas is sold in.
"The issue of allowing children to access this potentially life-threatening psychoactive drug must be addressed, and I am pleased that the Government has already shut down retailers caught selling it illegally.
"But more needs to be done, and I will work with ministers to ensure this is the case. I'm really concerned about the number of canisters I see around the city, especially when they are at the roadside, having been thrown from car windows. Nobody should putting lives at risk by driving after taking drugs."
In Dudley, council chiefs are working alongside West Midlands Police as part of the 'No Laughing Matter' campaign in a bid to raise awareness of the issue – and encourage others to report the activity.
Continuous use of the colourless gas can lead to an increased heart rate, swelling on the brain, nerve damage and anaemia, as well as throat and lung damage.
'A huge concern'
It slows a person's brain and body's responses down and can lead to them becoming unconscious – or suffocating from a lack of oxygen. Around five people in the UK die a year from inhaling the drug.
Councillor Laura Taylor, cabinet member for community safety, said: "The increased use of nitrous oxide within our communities is a huge concern. We believe most of the people taking this drug are youngsters and have little or no idea what the potentially fatal consequences of this drug are.
"We want to reach out to young people, to educate them and help them realise that it’s ok to say no to drugs.
"We are seeing evidence of discarded canisters and want to encourage people to report where this activity is taking place so we can have a clearer indication of the extent of the issue to inform our response."
The substance is covered by the Psychoactive Substances Act – making it illegal to supply for its psychoactive effects.
In Walsall, chiefs have urged people to be aware of the gas and the "inappropriate" use of it which "cannot be underestimated".
Councillor Gary Perry, portfolio holder for community, leisure and culture, said: "We would encourage anyone, especially youngsters in the borough, that are made aware of the misuse of the gas to report it so that West Midlands Police and the local authority can respond appropriately.
"There are criminal consequences to supplying nitrous oxide, which may result in a hefty fine or imprisonment. I back the call to introduce stricter control measures to be put in place for the sale of nitrous oxide canisters which I would say would be welcomed by the industry. Tackling the misuse of this gas requires a multi-faceted approach."
Police chiefs in the West Midlands said people face up to seven years in prison – or a hefty fine – if caught supplying the drug, with bosses calling for people to be "sensible".
Canisters have been found dotted across Staffordshire, with a host of them found on Cannock Chase, leading to concerns by councillors.
Councillor Alan Pearson, community safety and partnerships portfolio leader on Cannock Chase District Council, said: "We're finding the small canisters on car parks across the Chase which shows there must be groups doing this. They don't realise the dangers and they think it's fun to talk like Donald Duck. They think it's a prank, something fun to do, but it isn't.
"It's the same as anything to do with drugs abuse. You try these things and you get stuck on them and I've seen people addicted to nitrous oxide.
"There's nothing worse than if you're a parent and a young child dies – they may take it knowing nothing about it and it really affects people's lives.
"Friends have lost loved ones and for their family it's a massive blow. It has serious implications."
Trading standards chiefs at Staffordshire County Council said anyone who has information about companies selling the substance to youngsters should contact them.
Police chiefs in the county have also said the activity usually accompanies anti-social behaviour. Anyone with information should contact them on 101.
Support can be found by visiting talktofrank.com, with confidential advice offered by calling 0300 123 6600.
The truth on growing craze for ‘hippie crack’ canisters
It’s the second-most commonly used drug for young people to use after cannabis – but just what is nitrous oxide?
The harmful substance, better known as laughing gas or sometimes “hippie crack”, can often be found discarded in parks and open spaces in our region.
In some cases the use of it can even lead to death – with five people, on average, being killed as a result, according to the Office for National Statistics. But why do youngsters take it? One reason is because of how cheap and easily accessible it is, with people able to buy it online, and occasionally from a corner shop.
Use and side effects
People inhale the colourless gas from silver canisters for a legal high through a balloon, with some others opting to inhale from the canister directly.
Doing this, inhaling directly, can lead to a spasm of the throat muscle, due to the gas being under high pressure, and can ultimately lead to stop a person breathing. The effects of the drug varies on use, but it tends to cause feelings of euphoria, relaxation and calmness, along with fits of giggles and laughter – hence the ‘laughing gas’ name.
It can also cause sound distortions and hallucinations, along with a severe headache, dizziness, and short-lived – but intense – feelings of paranoia. Young people who take too much nitrous oxide risk falling unconscious and potentially suffocating from a lack of oxygen, with people dying this way.
Regular use can lead to a deficiency of vitamin B12 and to a form of anaemia – with the severe deficiency causing serious nerve damage, making walking difficult. Other effects include preventing the body from producing white blood cells, which protect the body against infectious diseases, leaving people susceptible to illness.
Is it legal?
Nitrous oxide can be used legally for its medical and commercial uses, to relieve pain relief during dental work and childbirth, and used as a whipping agent for whipped cream. Laws were introduced in 2016 to help tackle the issue of youngsters using it to get high. Under the Psychoactive Substances Act, selling the drug to get high is illegal, along with giving it away or selling it for that use.
But there is no penalty for possession unless you’re already in prison, in which case you could face up to seven years. Police chiefs have already raised concerns over policing the drug due to it being legal for medicinal and commercial purposes.
Many young people have got around this law by purchasing canisters in their corner shop for as little as £5 – with canisters being widely available on websites including Amazon and eBay, albeit for their commercial uses.
It has prompted an MP, Rosie Duffield, to recently urge the Government to enforce tougher restrictions on the products – with it being “far too easy” to get a hold of the substance. “If someone wants to buy cream chargers, there are currently no age restrictions. A quick look online this morning showed me that I could have 24 canisters delivered to my office tomorrow for just £9.19,” she said.
Home Office minister Kevin Foster said a total of 332 retailers across the UK had been shut down – with retailers urged to spot the signs of potential abuse when customers order.
A national drugs survey, from 2018-2019, revealed a total of nine per cent of those aged 16 to 24 had tried the substance – compared with six per cent five years earlier. Trade body British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) has already called on the Government to introduce a retail ban on the canisters, due to the use becoming more “prevalent”.
Is it addictive?
The jury is still out when it comes to the addictive nature of nitrous oxide.
Experts say it is possible to develop a desire for the drug, but say the evidence is limited.
However, some people have reported developing cravings or feelings that they want to use nitrous oxide for its effects.
There is also the fear that it can be a ‘gateway drug’ to other harmful substances, which have a proven and very destructive additive quality.
