Worry Over Popularity Of Dental Laughing Gas Among Youngsters
Health experts have expressed concern over the growing popularity of laughing gas among youngsters. Nitrous oxide, which is used during dental procedures and child birth, has become the drug of choice for young people according to recent statistics.
According to a recent crime survey for England and Wales, six per cent of adults in Gloucestershire use nitrous oxide as a means of getting high and the drug has picked up the nickname of ‘hippy crack’. Nitrous oxide is a legal high, which is most commonly sold in balloons, but does carry risks and should not be used for recreation.
Andy Symons from Turning Point Gloucestershire, drug abuse charity, said that legal highs have become very popular among young people. He also said that services must adjust to tailor their advice and support towards youngsters who are reliant on these drugs to have a good time and address the underlying issues.
Although deaths from nitrous oxide are rare, there is a risk of asphyxiation. In 2007, 58 year old, David Baron was found dead at his home; he was attached to a dental anaesthetic machine, which was releasing nitrous oxide. Unfortunately the cause of death was recorded as hypoxia and asphyxia.
Police have also issued warnings over the past two years after discovering a number of empty gas canisters. A spokeswoman for Gloucestershire Police said that many wrongly assume that drugs will not harm them, but it is important that the public is aware of the risks of nitrous oxide.
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