Joint Policing Committee shares concerns over laughing gas
Photo: iStock
By Hailey Cassidy
At the latest Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meeting, Mayor Eddie Hoare voiced his concern about the recreational use of nitrous oxide in Galway city and county.
During the meeting on 29 February Mayor Hoare inquired if nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas, was being picked up in the drugs analysis report, and if anything was being done to raise awareness.
He said that it has been brought to his attention that there is rising use in Galway as evidenced by an increase of cannisters around parks and playground in the city and county.
Garda Chief Superintendent Gerard Roche said that there have been very recent seizures of nitrous oxide, and an increase in seizures this year, though it was unclear whether it was seized by sellers or users. He indicated that they address it in their schools program.
Gateway drug
The Chief Superintendent said that this is an introductory drug.
“What we’re seeing is people use this to experiment at a very young age and then they move on to different things.”
Mayor Hoare said that “it’s too accessible to younger people”.
Nitrous oxide is sold online and in stores for cooking purposes as well as for dental medicine.
“It’s an illegal drug for recreational use, but unfortunately it can be supplied for other uses, and that’s where younger people are being able to obtain it.”
“I’m happy that the Chief Superintendent has given assurances that there is an educational piece being rolled out to schools and colleges around Galway city,” said Mayor Hoare, “And another concern is he has said that the use of nitrous oxide, or indeed laughing gas, is leading to young people sampling other drugs and more dangerous drugs.”
“Like the Chief Superintendent said to us in today’s meeting, it’s leading to those users using other more dangerous drugs, like cocaine, like cannabis, and other drugs.”
It was reported on Wednesday that doctors at a Dublin hospital are worried about the number of teenagers presenting with frostbite injuries associated with the inhaling of nitrous oxide.
