We are currently seeing a surge in the use of Nitrous Oxide (aka Laughing Gas, whippits, Nos, Hippie Crack, Chargers, Ballons) as a way to get a high. There are more and more empty  canisters found on our streets on a daily basis. I myself have this month collected more than 120 canisters in my area alone. This gas is usually inhaled via a balloon.
Inhaling nitrous oxide directly from the canister is very dangerous because the gas is under such high pressure. It can cause a spasm of the throat muscle and stop a person breathing.
If someone takes too much nitrous oxide they risk falling unconscious and/or suffocating from the lack of oxygen. People have died this way.

Other risks include:
Dizziness, which might make you act carelessly or dangerously. Heavy regular use of nitrous oxide can lead to a deficiency of vitamin B12 and to a form of anaemia. Severe B12 deficiency can lead to serious nerve damage, causing tingling and numbness in the fingers and toes. This can be very painful and make walking difficult.Regular use can stop the formation of white blood cells.
There have been incidents that people order CO2 canisters by mistake as they look similar in appearance only to have instantly fatal consequences.

I would like to see the sale of Nitrous Oxide to the general public banned or at least from online sales or stricter guide lines. This problem is escalating at a fast rate amongst our Teens.

Let's do something about it now before it's too late.