‘Laughing gas’ craze could end in tragedy

FIFE: Grieving dad’s warning amid fears nitrous oxide abuse increasing in young

Fears have been raised that a ‘laughing gas’ craze among groups of teenagers in Fife could end in tragedy.

Authorities fear youngsters are dicing with death by inhaling nitrous oxide – also known as ‘Nos’ or ‘hippy crack’ – after distinctive silver vials were found littered across the region.

The gas is meant to be used to numb pain during medical procedures, or in whipped cream aerosols used in catering, but young people are inhaling it for a quick buzz.

Experts say users can suffer various health problems caused by lack of oxygen to the brain.

Fife councillor John O’Brien, whose son Lee died aged just 16 as a result of solvent abuse in 2002, has urged youngsters not to take the risk.

“People don’t realise that the human body can react at anytime to solvents in unexpected circumstances, sometimes leading to accidental death,” he added.

Authorities in Fife fear a new “laughing gas” craze across the region could result in deaths.

Empty small silver canisters that had contained nitrous oxide have been found in dozens of locations throughout the region including street corners, playparks and popular tourist areas.

The substance is used for a number of legitimate purposes, such as numbing pain during medical procedures, airsoft BB guns, in catering aerosol cans and for carbonation in drinks, and is widely available online.

However, it can also be abused by inhaling and it is illegal to sell or import it for human consumption.

Health experts say users risk falling unconscious, nerve damage and even suffocation from a lack of oxygen.

Canisters have been reported at the historic Wemyss Caves; the foreshores at Seafield in Kirkcaldy and at Buckhaven; beauty spots including the Coul Den reservoir near Markinch; various public parks including sites in Kirkcaldy, Leven, Lochgelly, Glenrothes and Ballingry; and in the grounds of schools, such as St Patrick’s Primary in Lochgelly and St Kenneth’s Primary in Ballingry.

Dawn Jamieson, safer communities team manager with Fife Council, said: “We’ve had reports of discarded canisters of nitrous oxide in central Fife and we’ve added the affected areas to our patrols. I would advise anyone to report any matters of substance abuse to the police.”

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, whippits, Nos, Hippie Crack, chargers and balloons, is normally kept under such high pressure that it can cause a spasm of the throat muscle and stop a person breathing.

Other risks include dizziness, a deficiency of vitamin B12 which leads to a form of anaemia that can cause serious nerve damage, tingling and numbness in fingers and toes and fainting.

A police spokesman said the force was aware of instances of discarded canisters found in recent months in Fife.

“Users can also suffer various health implications including dizziness caused by lack of oxygen to the brain,” he said

“Any intelligence received by police in relation to the supply of this substance will be robustly investigated.”

“We’ve had reports of discarded canisters of nitrous oxide in central Fife and we’ve added the affected areas to our patrols.

DAWN JAMIESON, SAFER COMMUNITIES TEAM MANAGER WITH FIFE COUNCIL

Nitrous oxide, more commonly known as ‘laughing gas’, typically comes in small silver canisters.