Potentially lethal ‘laughing gas’ craze sweeping across Fife

Users warned they are risking death after canisters found at dozens of locations

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;

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

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.”

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