The BBC covered concerns from the Royal College of Psychiatrists this month that cuts to addiction services for young people with drug and alcohol problems in England mean many are missing out on specialist help. The Royal College of Psychiatrists says eight out of nine regions in England have made real terms reductions in funding since 2014, and 37% overall. Full story here.
A new paper was also published by Oomens et al: Case report of an acute myocardial infarction after high-dose recreational nitrous oxide use: a consequence of hyperhomocysteinaemia? in European Heart Journal - Case Reports, Volume 5, Issue 2.
UK
Chorley girl's heartbreaking tribute to 'amazing daddy' after laughing gas death: [Her father], originally from Preston, inhaled around 35 balloons of nitrous oxide in the space of 50 minutes just before his death. [A friend said} “I think he was sniffing lighter gas too but with lighter gas he would hide it because he didn’t want us to know as we would have had a go at him.”
Teen arrested for dealing nitrous oxide canisters: He was arrested and released pending further enquiries. (Coventry)
Four men inhaling 'hippy crack' handed Covid-19 fines: There are issues with nitrous oxide use across borough. (Nuneaton & Bedford)
Nearly 400 laughing gas canisters seized at [Breightmet] post office shop: The Best One shop was visited by officers from Bolton trading standards on December 10 last year.
[Another Bolton] shop loses licence after more than 600 laughing gas canisters discovered: A total of 26 boxes of nitrous oxide canisters were found.
Laughing gas is for sale on the high street in Plymouth: A store near the city centre sold us canisters on the pavement in broad daylight after we pre-ordered them by phone. The shop is allowed to operate a collection service under lockdown rules but is closed to walk-in customers.
Car full of people sniffing gas amongst those breaching rules: A car full of people sniffing gas were among hundreds of people officers had to deal with over the weekend for breaching coronavirus regulations. (Lancashire)
Gabalfa and Llandaff North group want your help in collecting gas canisters: The group are looking to clear the streets of Nitrous Oxide canisters to raise money to clean the banks of the River Taff.
Angry London woman makes nitrous oxide cannisters left on the street into decorations: Fed up with finding nitrous oxide cannisters outside her home, one woman turned the litter into bunting.
Other stories concerned with nitrous oxide use and related antisocial behaviour came from Bradford, Dorset, East Lothian, Fife, Flintshire, Lancashire, Swindon, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and Winchester.
BCGA issues new guidance on the dangers of nitrous oxide: The new guide underpins BCGA’s call for a ban on retail sales of the gas, which would make it only available to those purchasing it for legitimate use such as in medicine, dentistry, or catering.
IRELAND
Fears over use of 'hippy crack' in Blessington: Concerns raised over glue sniffing and inhaling of nitrous oxide gas.
USA
Body found near Monroe shopping center Tuesday: Foul play is not suspected. His body was found behind some bushes, with multiple “dust cans for huffing” nearby, a spokesperson said.
Dust spray maker can't dodge suit over DUI death (MN): The makers of a compressed gas cleaning spray must face the builk of a suit over a woman's death in a collision involving another driver who allegedly inhaled the spray and became high, after a Minnesota federal judge clipped a public nuisance and deceptive trade practices claim, but allowed the rest of the suit to go forward.
'Sad case.' Aerosol abuse, not police, led to death in back of Kennewick patrol car (WA): [He] was sitting in a Kennewick Starbuck's parking lot when he was seen inhaling a chemical found in aerosol cans.
Member of Fresno raisin giant family sentenced in hit-and-run crash that injured cyclist (CA): ... Police found empty canisters of nitrous oxide in [his] Yukon.
ND lawmakers looking to increase “huffing” penalty: North Dakota lawmakers are looking to increase the penalty provision for repeat offenders caught inhaling vapors or “huffing” to get high.
KENYA
Drugs in motherhood: My entry into drug-abuse was gradual: I started sniffing glue when I was a girl.
AUSTRALIA
Warning labels coming to everyday item to stop deaths: Paddy Ryan died at a house party last year – now after a long fight by his parents, SA will introduce warning labels for BBQ cylinders.
[Man's] rampage through Bendigo city after huffing paint fumes (Vic): A man high on paint fumes went on a “rampage” through Bendigo's city.
Aerosols taken off shelves in Karama, as youths chrome: While there has been recent reports of chroming, statistics overall show a drop in VSA offences by youths over the past three years in most of the NT.
Chroming issues at Gapuwiyak: Police have seen a spike in volatile substance abuse-related incidents in the East Arnhem community of Gapuwiyak.
Chroming on Health Department's radar with services in place to help people: The NT Health Department is working with community members and organisations to address issues around volatile substance abuse.
Former addict says nitrous oxide still being sold in Christchurch: [She] knew her addiction had hit rock bottom when she woke up and couldn't move her hands or legs.
CCTV to see bus hub trouble not turned on: Youths fighting, drinking, and huffing aerosols are causing headaches at Dunedin’s central city bus hub.
