‘Laughing gas’ drug-use “getting worse”, says town council

The recreational use of nitrous oxide cannisters – commonly known as ‘laughing gas’ – is on the rise in Melksham.

According to the town council, on a regular basis, tens of small silver nitrous oxide cannisters and balloons – which are used to inhale the colourless gas – are being collected outside the pavillion in King George Playing Field and in the Prince of Wales garden on Church Street. 

Melksham News reported on the issue in July after leader of the town council, cllr Vanessa Fiorelli, and local police attempted to raise awareness about the long-term health risks of using the recreational drug.

But the town council says that the problem is “getting worse” and has again raised concerns about the health risks of using the recreational drug, and the impact the small silver cannisters and balloons could have on local wildlife and dogs being walked in the park.

The council has also said that they have been reporting incidents to police and have offered CCTV footage from the pavillion as evidence. But they raised concerns that the police are “not particularly active” in coming to view the footage.

“They [the town council grounds team] are finding 30-40 of the silver bullets scattered in front of the pavillion,” explained the town council’s clerk, Linda Roberts, at a meeting of the King George V committee, “especially after a weekend, and on a lot of the days [of the week].”

Cllr Terri Welch added that at a recent town tidy event, around 60 of the cannisters were collected in the Prince of Wales garden. “It is a big problem,” said cllr Welch.

Raising concern about the impact the rubbish caused by the recreational drug use could have on wildlife and dogs in the park, cllr Hayley Illman said, “It’s not just hazardous to the users, it’s the dog walkers, and all the wildlife that we have in the park and around the river as well – it’s a real issue and I don’t know what we can do about it, but it’s getting worse.”

“The problem is that you can just buy them online,” said mayor of Melksham, cllr Pat Aves.

The drug is known to be popular with young people. And the use of cannisters is thought to be increasing because they are cheap and it is not illegal to buy the gas, which has legitimate uses such as numbing pain during medical procedures, and use in catering aerosol cans and engines.

However, the gas is covered by the Psychoactive Substances Act, and is illegal to supply for its psychoactive effect – supply and production can result in up to 7 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.

When the nitrous oxide gas is inhaled, it can make users feel euphoric and relaxed but can also  cause hallucinations, dizziness and passing out. In some cases there have been sudden death through lack of oxygen, and the effects of the gas can cause permanent nerve damage.

If you are worried about someone you know who uses nitrous oxide recreationally, call FRANK – the national anti-drug advisory service – on 0300 1236600 for friendly, confidential advice or visit the website: www.talktofrank.com/drug/nitrous-oxide