Surge in use of nitrous oxide gas across Meath

CYLINDERS of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, are being found with more frequency on the ground in public places across Meath.

Meath Co Council have raised alarm over 'laughing gas' abuse, as upward of 360 empty canisters are being discovered per week by local community workers.

The council are warning parents and kids of this gas, which has surged in popularity among teens in recent years and a council spokesperson said: "If you suspect your child is using nitrous oxide, please advise them to stop immediately.

"Nitrous Oxide aka laughing gas, whippets, balloons, hippie crack, is no laughing matter. It can kill. Mixing it with alcohol and other drugs is extremely dangerous."

Empty canisters have been discovered in Navan, Kells, Stamullen, Donore and Duleek in recent weeks.

Alan Nolan, Meath Co Council Community Warden has advised the public on what to do if they come across these cylinders:

"Whoever finds these canisters can contact Meath Co Council customer service and log a call. The council has a contractor (AES) who collects and disposes of these in line with hazardous waste regulations. We would advise local tidy towns and community groups not to deal with them themselves as some of them can still contain gas."

Dunboyne councillor Maria Murphy has also been raising concerns about the misuse of nitrous oxide among young people and has previously called for an age limit to be put on their sale to restrict young people from easily gaining access to them.

"We are still picking up these cylinders in the Dunboyne area and lately we have also being seeing smaller blue plastic cylinders.

“Please be aware. The incorrect use of these cylinders has dangerous health consequences which can result in death."

Meanwhile, the discovery of several canisters of nitrous oxide during a clean-up in the Cannistown area prompted a local resident to write to the manufacturer with the barcodes to find out where they were supplied to and who was selling them. However, in response he was told it was not possible to track where the cylinders were bought.