Councillor joins calls for awareness about dangers of nitrous oxide abuse

Wigan Central councillor George Davies counted no less than a dozen empty nitrous oxide cartridges, along with lager cans and food containers, at a seating area on the Douglas valley trail this week.

Nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas or hippy crack, is a popular recreational drug among young people.

Inhaling it can lead to a euphoric effect, but a number of harmful side effects are often overlooked by those looking for a quick high. It is a legal substance but supplying it for recreational purposes is an offence.

Coun Davies, who was alerted to the issue by residents, said: “Not only have these benches been turned into a drinking den, but these empty silver canisters of nitrous oxide are a danger for young people who are taking exceptional risks with their health.

“First of all, I will be calling for a clean -up of this area and a request for the two wooded seats to be removed.

He added: “I also feel that a public awareness campaign to spell out the high risks of these silver canisters is needed.

“According to the anti drug campaign, the risks of inhaling nitrous oxide includes dizziness, a deficiency of vitamin B12, nerve damage, walking difficulties, and you can collapse with a weakened heart.

“So I hope that the council and health authorities can come together to show the health risks on these canisters and hopefully ban them from sale.”

Ashton representative, Coun Anthony Sykes, has been vocal about the issue in his war in recent months.

Coun Lawrence Hunt, who also represents Wigan Central alongside Coun Davies, has also noticed a problem, with hundreds being spotted across Haigh Plantations.

He said more needed to be done to educate young people and that greater police action was needed to tackle the problem.

“There have been a lot of canisters recovered from the Haigh Plantations and around the dam in Swinley,” Coun Hunt said.

“They’re also everywhere around the streets in areas such as Swinley and Scholes.

“Education is needed through schools and more police action, as these canisters are potentially lethal.”