Nitrous oxide: Laughing gas ban could harm users, experts warn

The projected prohibition of nitrous oxide could halt users seeking aesculapian assistance successful hospitals, wellness experts person warned.

In a missive to the government, seen by BBC Newsnight, 15 neurologists and related wellness experts accidental possession of the cause should not beryllium criminalised.

Despite rising numbers of infirmary patients suffering the effects of alleged laughing gas, they pass the prohibition could worsen the stigma astir users.

The authorities has responded, saying it plans to spell up with the ban.

Nitrous oxide is simply a colourless state often sold successful metallic canisters. It is 1 of the astir commonly utilized drugs by 16 to 24-year-olds,

Heavy usage tin pb to nerve-related symptoms - being incapable to walk, falling over, oregon experiencing tingling oregon nonaccomplishment of sensation successful the feet and hands. Some users person nerve-related bladder oregon bowel problems, erectile dysfunction oregon incontinence.

Supply of nitrous oxide for recreational usage is presently banned - but possession is not.

And earlier this year, the authorities projected an amendment to the instrumentality - which could travel into unit earlier the extremity of the twelvemonth - meaning it would go amerciable to person the drug.

Writing to the curate for policing, Chris Philp, the 15 aesculapian professionals accidental making possession of the cause amerciable was "unlikely to construe to wellness benefits successful our patients".

That is contempt starring medics telling Newsnight they person seen an summation of nitrous oxide patients.

The writer of the letter, Dr Alastair Noyce, Professor of Neurology and Neuroepidemiology, said the prohibition risked creating "fear of a transgression record" among young users.

"People whitethorn hold coming to infirmary astatine a clip erstwhile their symptoms are treatable," helium said. "The nett effect of that whitethorn beryllium that they make semipermanent harm damages."

He said determination was "very small grounds that the criminalisation volition pb to reductions successful neurological harm and volition interaction people's opportunities who are not successful acquisition and employment".

The missive urged the authorities to money a nationalist acquisition run successful schools and done the media "to guarantee the nationalist recognize the risks posed by nitrous oxide misuse".

Under the proposals, those recovered successful possession of the cause could look up to 2 years successful prison, an unlimited fine, oregon both. The authorities has launched consultations of the plan, some with experts and the public.

Experts person antecedently said a prohibition connected laughing state volition not halt radical utilizing it. The Drug Science technological foundation said a broad prohibition was "completely disproportionate" and "would apt present much harm than good".

However, Mohammad Ashfaq, who runs Kick It, a grassroots organisation successful Birmingham, said the projected prohibition would assistance halt misuse of the drug. "At the moment, it is precise hard for the constabulary to wholly eradicate," helium said. "Communities are getting frustrated. The instrumentality volition marque a difference. It would beryllium a batch clearer."

BBC Newsnight besides spoke with Katherine Bramwell, from South Wirral, who said she didn't cognize thing astir nitrous oxide until her lad got addicted. She says helium recovered it hard to get disconnected the substance owed to the intelligence dependence.

"When you're the 1 going to prime your lad disconnected from determination and uncovering him conscionable fundamentally laic determination - can't walk, can't speak. You know, you're waiting for a telephone to archer you that your lad is dead."

In a connection to Newsnight, the authorities said it would proceed with the nitrous oxide ban. It said it had acceptable retired a "clear strategy" successful its anti-social behaviour enactment program "for the constabulary to woody with the misuse of this substance".