Calls for campaign regarding dangers of nitrous oxide use

CALLS have been made for the development and implementation of a countrywide awareness campaign regarding the dangers of recreational nitrous oxide misuse, particularly among children and young people.

In October, it was reported that 24 people have presented at TUH for nitrous oxide-related issues so far this year, a massive increase from a total of three in 2020.

Nitrous oxide-related presentation figures at Tallaght University Hospital have risen by a whopping 700 per cent in the last six years.

At this month’s Council meeting, Councillor Niamh Whelan raised the motion in the chamber to gather support for greater restrictions on the use of nitrous oxide for recreational use and wider awareness of the health risks associated with the use.

Cllr Whelan told elected members that the HSE has reported a “130 per cent increase in people presenting for treatment since 2022”.

Young people are predominantly presenting to emergency departments with the likes of spinal cord injuries and, in severe cases, permanent nerve damage and even paralysis.

Councillor Alan Edge shared his experience with individuals in his constituency abusing nitrous oxide and the shocking toll it has taken on the community.

“We do need information out there about the risks. There have been fatalities. There’s been a fatality in my LEA, and I know there’s been elsewhere as well. And also about, if I can put it this way, safer misuse.

“I think any inhalation of these drugs is dangerous; we need to be clear about that, but we know that there are situations in which young people don’t know what they’re doing and inhale it directly from the container, and that can lead to death.”

Cllr Whelan has heard from members of the community who have been in regular contact with the gardaí over the misuse of nitrous oxide behind the wheel, but no action has been taken to quell the misuse due to a lack of legislation.

One constituent got in contact with the Gardaí after having witnessed an individual driving near a school during rush hour, with a balloon hanging out of their mouth.

They were told by the Gardaí that their “hands are tied” and “there’s not a huge amount” they can do about this, as it is “not an illegal substance to use behind the wheel.”

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme