'Laughing gas' warning as police urge parents to speak to children about dangers of drug

Parents have been urged to speak to their children to deter them from using ‘laughing gas’ which can prove deadly.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Durham Constabulary's team of officers in Peterlee has issued the plea after empty gas canisters were found littering locations in the town.

Its neighbourhood policing team has warned the small canisters of nitrous oxide are “extremely dangerous” and can pose both immediate and long-term health risks to users, with nerve damage and suffocation among its reactions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Experts say people who take too much risk falling unconscious and can suffocate from the lack of oxygen, which has caused deaths.

A photo shared via Councillor Steven Franklin following the discovery of nitrous oxide canisters found on St Bede's field in Peterlee last week.A photo shared via Councillor Steven Franklin following the discovery of nitrous oxide canisters found on St Bede's field in Peterlee last week.
A photo shared via Councillor Steven Franklin following the discovery of nitrous oxide canisters found on St Bede's field in Peterlee last week.

The psychoactive drug is illegal to sell or give away for its psychoactive effects under the Psychoactive Substances Act of 2016.

The police warning comes after more than 100 of the canisters and empty drinks bottles were found on St Bede's field in the town following a party by a gang of youths.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Neighbourhood Inspector Emma Kay said: “Anybody considering using this gas – particularly younger people – need to think very carefully about the risks involved.

“Nitrous oxide can cause dizziness, serious nerve damage, and suffocation.

“I’d urge parents to talk to their kids about the very real dangers of using it.”

Nitrous oxide, known as hippie crack, is a colourless gas which is inhaled from the pressurised metal canisters, often using a balloon.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Durham Constabulary has urged anyone who wants to know more about the dangers of nitrous oxide to visit www.talktofrank.com/drug/nitrous-oxide.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

How to subscribe to the print edition

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of.

Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.