Nitrous Oxide ‘a very real danger to young people’

TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has said that Nitrous Oxide is an all too present drug in your communities that is often allowed to slip under the radar when it comes to substance abuse prevention and supports. Teachta Crowe is currently drafting a bill to ban the sale of Nitrous Oxide products to under 18s and have it listed as a psychotropic drug to enable gardaí to tackle its sale and misuse more effectively.
 
Teachta Crowe said “The sale and misuse of Nitrous Oxide is something that often slips under the radar in the fight against substance abuse in our communities and efforts to help those who suffer from addiction. “People often see the small silver containers or blue flask size containers scattered on the ground in our parks or beside footpaths, unaware of what they are, what they are used for or even that the misuse of nitrous oxide goes on. These ‘silver bullets’ as they’re called are inhaled and can cause hypoxic brain injury and even death. There have been numerous cases of this happening in both Ireland and Britain.
 
“It’s mostly children and young teenagers who use this drug but it’s becoming popular and available as is evident by the number of capsules littering many communities. “I am currently drafting a bill in the Oireachtas that would ban the sale of Nitrous Oxide products to under 18’s and have it listed as a psychotropic drug to enable gardaí to tackle its sale and misuse more effectively.
 
“I am aware of the many legitimate uses of nitrous oxide and do not wish to hinder anyone who simply wants to purchase a can of whipped cream, but there is a huge black market out there and precious little has been done to limit it. “I have spoken to the Garda Authorities on the issue and they have told me that they feel their hands are tied in many cases when it comes to dealing with nitrous oxide abuse under current legislation.
 
“That is why I am planning to put forward my own bill in the Dáil in the coming weeks and hopefully have it swiftly passed so that we can help prevent the widespread use of this substance that can be all too dangerous if used unsafely.”