Sheffield teens are taking ‘cheap’ and ‘accessible’ substance with potentially fatal consequences

Nitrous oxide has been around for hundreds of years and has been used for medical purposes as well as in the catering industry, where it is sold legally to make whipped cream, but recreational use has become much more prevalent.

In the past few months, the overall demand for the drug has risen rapidly and is now widely used by the younger generation looking for a ‘quick buzz’. In Sheffield, canisters used to contain the drug can be found in many parks and littering on pavements.

Health impacts of nitrous oxide can be fatal, and in some cases, people have died whilst using the substance.

Long-term use of the drug can lead to a deficiency of vitamin B12, and more severe cases of this can cause serious nerve damage, which affects the fingers and toes – making it ‘extremely painful’ to move.

Nick Cave, team leader at The Corner in Sheffield, said: “Taking it in larger quantities will knock you out and over abusing particularly at a party or dancing or standing in a crowd if somebody trips or falls it can leave them with contusions, bruises, cuts, scrapes and even broken bones.

“In regard to more serious issues, it would basically be just doing things idiotically, such as depriving yourself of oxygen because eventually, it will kill you.

“Deaths are quite few and far between thankfully.”

Data from the Office for National Statistics stats revealed that from 2001 to 2016, there have been 36 deaths involving Nitrous oxide.

The Corner, based in the city centre, are a commissioned service provider for under 18 substance and alcohol provision and work with all young people in Sheffield.

They provide one-to-one support, group work and professional training as well as online support through their digital platforms and a web-chat service.

Nitrous oxide dealers have turned to social media sites such as Snapchat and Instagram to attract people and make sales with fewer risks of being caught.

The majority of sellers have found a major loophole in the law by disguising their profiles as catering suppliers, enabling them to flog boxes of the substance for as little as £10.

It is believed that the sudden rise in misuse of the substance is down to it being so ‘accessible’ and ‘cheap’ to buy.

Nick said: “It’s accessible, it’s easy to transport, there are no smells. It’s almost a guaranteed bang for your buck.

"There’s a perception that it is a fairly safe substance similar to the perception around cannabis.

"Statistically, you could argue that alcohol is the most harmful drug that we know, but in terms of effects and cost to the NHS it is another one that’s readily available, and yet a lot of young people would quite happily use NOS instead of alcohol.”

A petition was launched earlier this year calling on the Government to make the recreational use of nitrous oxide an offence - however, the Government stated that it had no plans to change the law.

In their parliamentary briefing on tackling the misuse of nitrous oxide, they said: “The best approach is to support local services in disseminating harm reduction materials, not to add another substance to the list of drugs that are supplied without any regulatory oversight at all.

“Smart education, not blunt regulation that will fail to reduce access to nitrous oxide is needed – that and possibly an anti-littering campaign.”

Gas canisters have become a familiar sight across the city with large amounts scattered in parks and open spaces.

Litter picking groups run by members of the community are now gearing up to help clear the debris.

Iren Worth, who runs Sheffield Litter pickers, said: “We come across them often.

“It has got 'less worse' over the last few months in my area of Gleadless Valley, I and others have noticed less of them recently. I used to regularly find a couple of boxes worth near me, but since lockdown and others say since it has got a bit cooler now that there are less of them.

“The only way to stop the problem I presume is for the sale of them to be banned other than to catering establishments.”

Supply of Nitrous Oxide for human consumption is illegal under the 2016 Psychoactive Substances Act and could land someone a seven-year prison sentence or an unlimited fine - but there is currently no penalty for possession.

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said: “Not only is it illegal to supply nitrous oxide canisters for inhalation, but it is also very dangerous.

“We work closely with local authorities and other partners to raise awareness of the health dangers of laughing gas.

“Nitrous Oxide lowers the oxygen in the brain and can cause serious damage. It can also make you very dizzy and impair your reactions and responses, which can increase your risk of injuring yourself and others.

They added: “If you’re worried about your own or a friend’s nitrous oxide use, there is support and advice available. Talk To Frank has a confidential advice line on 0300 123 6600, as well as lots of information on their website – www.talktofrank.com.

“We rely heavily on intelligence from the community in order to intercept and tackle the illegal supply of drugs. If anyone has any concern, or information which could assist us, we would urge them to get in touch. All information can be passed to police via 101 or through your local neighbourhood policing team.

“Alternatively, you can stay completely anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers via Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.”