Is the Laughing Gas Ban Driving Users Toward More Dangerous Drugs?
A senior analyst from Transform Drug Policy says that banning laughing gas (nitrous oxide) might be pushing users towards more dangerous drugs that are harder to notice.
Imagine a young woman with a bright yellow balloon in her mouth laughing as a police car pulls up beside her. Sitting beside her in a car, her friend inhales nitrous oxide from a blue balloon. Both are giggling when police officers approach to investigate.
Since November, nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, has been classified as a Class C drug and banned for recreational use, with penalties including up to two years in prison.
However, recent data from 22 police forces across the UK shows that fewer than 78 arrests were made for nitrous oxide possession in the first three months of the ban, with only 16 people charged.
In a recent police operation in Staines, officers discovered balloons and canisters of nitrous oxide that had been used. A sign nearby warned of a £1,000 fine for using nitrous oxide. Despite this, no one was arrested or charged; the young driver was allowed a voluntary interview.
Commander Walton of the police explained that they are trying to balance enforcing the law with understanding the risks of nitrous oxide. He noted that nitrous oxide use might be linked to harder drugs like cannabis.
At the Notting Hill Carnival, a major street party in the UK, police saw people using nitrous oxide but chose to focus on more pressing issues. This raised questions about whether the ban on nitrous oxide is effective.
Steve Rolles from Transform Drug Policy pointed out that banning substances can lead to unintended consequences. While the number of discarded canisters at events like the Carnival has dropped, it might drive users to more harmful drugs in private spaces.
“If banning nitrous oxide leads people to use more dangerous drugs, then the ban might not be achieving its goal of improving public health.”
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