kingpin007
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Shops sell party gas drug
KATE KYRIACOU, ELISSA DOHERTY
September 06, 2009 12:01am
PETROL stations, newsagents and convenience stores are selling nitrous oxide - commonly known as "happy gas" - to customers who inhale them for the high.
The state's peak health bodies have expressed shock that the potentially lethal gas is being sold over the counter.
The 10ml canisters - which come in a 10-pack that sells for $7 - are popular with the weekend party crowd.
The cylinders - which are legal - are designed to be inserted inside whipped-cream dispensers.
But a staff member at one store said they did a roaring trade on Friday and Saturday nights.
"Not just kids, everybody buys them," he said.
When asked why people bought the cylinders, he said: "They sniff it, you know, to get high". The Sunday Mail sent a 14-year-old into a store to buy the gas, which he was handed without question.
Australian Medical Association SA president Dr Andrew Lavender said people had suffered brain damage and even died from inhaling nitrous oxide in uncontrolled environments and enclosed spaces.
He said he was concerned the gas - once used by doctors as an anaesthetic - was so readily available.
"It is of concern that any substance that has potential for abuse would be readily available and seemingly in circumstances that would be targeting a market of young people on their night out," he said.
"Any inhaling of gases is very, very dangerous.
"As well as the effect of the gas itself, by inhaling that you may not be receiving enough oxygen."
Drug and Alcohol Services SA executive director Keith Evans was also concerned.
"Our preference would be that it is not positioned in such an obvious manner," he said. "It's not illegal to sell them here but it is illegal to knowingly sell to someone you know is likely to be using them for sniffing purposes.
"We recognise they have a legitimate use but, given the circumstances, it's clear in this case the individual knows it is going to be used as a drug." He said the canisters were often sold at petrol stations, hardware stores, stationery suppliers, newsagents and supermarkets.
Nitrous oxide inhalation can cause euphoria, numbness, giddiness, light-headedness, distorted perceptions and anxiety.
Breathing in the gas also causes displacement of oxygen from the lungs, which can lead to unconsciousness and even death.
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,27574,26032222-2682,00.html
