Will making Nitrous Oxide a Class C drug tackle the problem?

Bradford was one of the first cities in the UK to raise the alarm about the number of drug-users inhaling gas from balloons on street corners and behind the wheel.

Frustration around young people inhaling the drug peaked this Summer, when concerned residents targeted a car park known for balloons.

The crackdown was organised via Snapchat with the user sending a message to “any real men out there that want to go speak to these balloon heads and sort their heads out”.

Doctors are seeing more patients struggling with severe side effects on hospital wards - including vitamin B12 deficiency, aneamia, nerve damage, and even spinal injuries.

Meanwhile canisters of the hard-to-trace drug have also been found at crash scenes.

By the end of 2023, new laws will see those caught in possession of Nitrous Oxide facing a prison sentence up to two years and/or an unlimited fine.

Meanwhile, those involved in the supply and production of Nitrous Oxide could get up to 14 years in prison as well as an unlimited fine.

The Telegraph & Argus was among those calling on the Government to restrict access at the point of sale and tighten up loopholes in the law.

This included Sofia Buncy MBE, national co-ordinator at the Khidmat Centre, who believes the Government needs to look at further fixes.

Ministers must create stricter measures and access at ‘the point of sale’, she said, as well as a minimum age limit on purchase and verification of the use by way of a license.

Ms Buncy, who worked closely with young people to guide the campaign, said: “There is a level of thinking that the new legislation around the categorisation of nitrous oxide as class C substance will help to deter suppliers and consumers. We are aware that often substances that are legislated in this way run the risk of going ‘underground’.

“The new legislation also needs to be mindful of the unnecessary criminalisation of communities, especially those who come from black and brown communities and evidentially have been presenting more in accessing medical care following side-effects from nitrous oxide usage. There is already a history of disproportionate incarceration of these groups of people.”

Education is key, the community leader warned, as she urged the NHS’ public health teams, police, schools, youth projects and community organisations to create preventative support.

“Those who are reliant on the substance also need to be supported via interventions and therapies,” Ms Buncy said.

“Worryingly, recent cutbacks may deter this from happening.”

Speaking on the Government’s announcement, Imran Hussain, MP for Bradford East said: “People across Bradford have had to live with the blight caused by rising nitrous oxide use for far too long, with users often behind anti-social behaviour that makes their lives a misery, or posing a serious danger to others on the road when they take this psychoactive substance behind the wheel. It is not a harmless, victimless substance.

“Many people across Bradford desperately wanted to see a ban on the illegitimate use of nitrous oxide, and back in March this year, I pressed the Government to go further following the conclusion of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD)’s review to restrict the sale of Nitrous Oxide, and so it is disappointing that it has taken this long for the Government to act.

“Whilst the move to criminalise Nitrous Oxide is a step in the right direction however, this alone will not solve the issues that it creates for communities in Bradford. The Home Office must also ensure that West Yorkshire Police have the resources and powers needed to tackle the illegitimate and criminal supply of nitrous oxide for recreational purposes, and to get those found to be driving under the influence of a psychoactive substance off the road.”

Councillor Fozia Shaheen (Labour, Toller) welcomed the ban but backed calls for a focus on drug education. 

“We’ve all seen these canisters littering our streets and car parks,” Cllr Shaheen said.

“Young people and our communities in general must become aware of its misuse and how their use can have severe health implication.

“Such education will empower individuals with knowledge to make informed decisions, discourage its misuse, and ultimately contribute to public health and safety.”