‘Mammoth’ seizure of nitrous oxide was worth almost €2m
THE latest seizure of 59,000 nitrous oxide canisters worth €1.9m “is yet more evidence of the growing issue with nitrous oxide misuse” both nationally and locally, according to local Fine Gael TD Emer Higgins.
This seizure, which was carried out by Revenue officers in Meath and Dublin in recent days, brings the total amount of nitrous oxide canisters seized this year to almost 140,000.
The drug, also known colloquially as ‘laughing gas’ and ‘hippy crack’, has increased in popularity in recent years, while the small silver canisters that contain the drug have been littered in the area.
Speaking about the latest seizure, Deputy Higgins said: “This mammoth seizure is yet more evidence of the growing issue with nitrous oxide misuse that we have in Ireland and here in Dublin Mid-West.
“Many of us are starting to notice an increase in the amount of small silver canisters found littering the local area, on our roadsides and in our parks and it’s not acceptable.
“Inhaling nitrous oxide, or laughing gas as it’s known, is not just a bit of fun. It has been linked to a number of deaths in the UK and we’re seeing increased hospitalisation rates in Ireland.
“Easy access is a huge issue. It’s far too straightforward for anyone of any age with access to the internet to pop online and order nitrous oxide to their home in a couple of clicks.
“I welcomed Amazon’s decision earlier this year to stop advertising nitrous oxide and I have called on Google to do the same.
“In my view, it’s unacceptable that any company should profiteer from this growing problem by selling ads for nitrous oxide gas canisters. I recently wrote to Google to ask them to take action urgently.
“Education and awareness are also factors and I think we must inform our young people of the associated dangers of nitrous oxide.
“People who inhale the gas can experience dizziness, disorientation, impaired memory, as well as incidents [of] tripping and falling.
“I commend the Gardai and Revenue officers on this seizure and for continuing to take nitrous oxide misuse very seriously.
“We must continue to tackle this issue both at a local and national level.”
The canisters that contain nitrous oxide gas are typically used in the catering industry or clinically as an anaesthetic for pain-relief – but some young people are misusing them by inhaling the gas to experience a temporary, cheap high.
The HSE first warned young people of the risks associated with misusing nitrous oxide last January and warned them not to inhale the substance.
Inhaling the gas can have devastating effects including the potential to displace air in the lungs, and it can cause a drop in oxygen levels which could increase heart rate, or potentially result in sudden death as a result of a lack of oxygen.
