United Kingdom: The use of ‘laughing gas’ among young people worries | What effects does this have and what are “tears of joy”

British Home Secretary Priti Patel on Friday expressed concern over the consumption of nitrogen oxide, a drug known as “laughing gas”.“, and called for drastic measures for those providing this substance, after More than half a million young people said they used it between 2019 and 2020.

The official assured that she was ready to “take hard measures” on the widespread use of laughing gas, which is mainly carried through balloons filled with small metal cylinders often seen at nightclubs and music festivals.

“Drug abuse can have a devastating impact on lives and communities. We are determined to do all we can to resolve this issue and protect the future of our children and youth, ”Patel said.

The Drug Abuse Advisory Council (ACMD) is now considering including more education on the harm it causes and is calling for tough action on those who give drugs to children. More than half a million young people between the ages of 16 and 24, or almost one in 10, said they took the drug in 2019 and 2020.

Laughing gas

Nitrous oxide, which is usually sold in small, silvery metal tubes and inhaled, can cause serious long-term effects., such as vitamin B12 deficiency and anemia.

In addition, it causes disturbing physical reactions such as irritation of the eyes, nose and throat; decrease in blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate, changes in blood flow and loss of consciousness, as well as damage to the lungs.

According to specialists, the gas “induces a brief period of euphoria, which may be accompanied by” tears of joy “, which responds to” a brief activation of the opiate systems in the brain “.

The sale of nitrous oxide for its psychoactive effects was declared illegal after the law on psychoactive substances in 2016, but currently it is not a crime to have this drug.

With the UK government fearing that the increase in consumption of the substance will continue, it has asked ACMD to consider whether illegal possession of nitrous oxide should be criminalized.

8.7% of 16-24 year olds said they had consumed nitrous oxide in the past 12 months, which equates to around 549,000 people, according to the England and Wales Crime Survey.

Rejection of criminalization

The Royal Society for Public Health immediately opposed Patel’s decision, warning that it was not clear whether criminalizing possession would have an effect on the level of availability or use of a drug.

“The government’s insistence on criminalization and incarceration for minor drug offenses exacerbates the problems associated with illicit drug use, including social inequalities and violence.said Burcu Borysik, head of policy for the charity.

He added: “The tough approach to the fight against drugs only spreads fear among young people, prevents them from seeking the support they need and draws them needlessly into the criminal justice system.

Anti-drug charity Release has warned that the proposal could burden tens of thousands of young people with criminal records “which will affect their employment and education opportunities, something that far outweighs the damage caused by nitrous oxide “.

However, the Home Office noted that laughing gas, in addition to causing serious long-term effects, “is also commonly used in anti-social gatherings and leads to littering in public places, bringing misery to communities. “.