Evidence of ‘Laughing Gas’ Misuse Discovered in Effingham

Published on: 8 Aug, 2018
Updated on: 9 Aug, 2018

Ten miniature gas cylinders found in woods referred to by local youths as ‘The Vicarage’

By Chris Dick

Effingham residents are concerned that there is evidence of misuse of nitrous oxide, more commonly known as ‘laughing gas’ or informally as ‘hippy crack’ in their village. The gas is capable of causing oxygen starvation and death by asphyxiation.

St Lawrence Church, Effingham. In the background are the woods within the King George playing fields boundary, near the back entrance to Howard of Effingham School.

Ten miniature gas cylinders, pictured above, were found in the woods behind St Lawrence Church in land belonging to the King George V playing fields on July 23. But at least one resident reports that similar cylinders have been seen over, at least, the last 18 months.

It is not known if Surrey Police have been made aware of the situation.

According to reports in the press, they cause on average about three or four deaths a year. Nitrous oxide is becoming more and more widespread as when inhaled it can make people feel euphoric and relaxed. Some people also experience hallucinations.

Traditionally, the gas has been used in dentistry as an anaesthetic, used during some dental procedures.

It was made illegal to sell for human consumption, along with other so-called legal highs but it is freely advertised online, generally for the production of whipped cream. Websites selling it state that it is only available for over-18s and is for food and beverage preparation only.

In the past few years, laughing gas has been widely used as a recreational drug but use of the gas for its euphoric effects can be dangerous.

The majority of deaths associated with the gas are thought to be down to asphyxiation caused by people using plastic bags to inhale the gas. When people use these canisters the gas can be very cold and can burn.

A cold shock in the throat can also affect the vagus nerve and cause a sudden slowing of the heart rate.