A YOUTH group in Bradford is joining the fight to educate young people on the “dangerous and devastating” consequences of using nitrous oxide.

Anti-social behaviour and drug driving involving laughing gas have been rife in Bradford in recent years, but communities are fighting back.

An app created by a charity that helps people with addiction was launched this year so people can report discarded gas canisters, and now the Hollings Youth Association (HYA) in Manningham has been running courses on the subject after its young members wanted to find out more.

The £6,500 courses were supported by the Mayor's Safer Communities Fund, which takes money recovered from criminals and passes it on to community projects.   

Alison Lowe, West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said: “The use of nitrous oxide can have a devastating impact so it’s crucial that we educate our young people on the dangers.    

“It was fantastic to visit the Hollings Youth Association and hear first-hand about the important work they are doing to highlight the serious and sometimes fatal consequences of nitrous oxide use.”

HYA decided to host the workshops on nitrous oxide use after the young people it works with raised it as a concern in their area.    

The project has focused on educating people about the risks of nitrous oxide use, which can lead to suffocation or paralysis, and on the dangers of driving whilst under the influence of the Class C drug.     

One workshop, organised in partnership with West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, involved a live demonstration of what it would be like to be cut out of a crashed car, reminding young people of the potential consequences of drug driving.    

Other workshops have been held in the nearby community centre and in the local mosque to help educate parents and guardians on what to watch out for.   

A steering group of young volunteers was also set up to establish a peer support system and to help educate their friends about the harms of drugs.    

Tausif Mohammed, manager at HYA, said: “Thanks to the Mayor's Safer Communities Fund, we have been able to educate young people on the dangerous and often devastating consequences of using nitrous oxide.    

"The young people we work with really drove this project and they have been involved in all the activities and events, which we have tailored to different age groups, as well as getting the message out to parents.   

"So many people reached out to get involved, such as Public Health Bradford, and we are pleased with how successful it has been so far working with partners and hope it will make a lasting difference.”     

In November last year, possession of laughing gas with the intent of getting high became illegal, with repeat offenders facing up to two years in jail.