No Laughing Matter
FORMER Labour Councillor and Mental Health Champion Ian Beckett has expressed concern about the hidden dangers of what appears to be a trend in the “recreational” use of nitrous oxide in and around Harlow.
Ian said: “Back in May I reported a substantial deposit of used cartridges in one of our cycle tracks that the council were quick to clean up. I found the quantity bewildering, having assumed that that the three or four that I was used to seeing scattered about was typical”.
This morning it was reported that an 18-year-old young man collapsed and died of a cardiac arrest and it is suspected that this was brought on by a combination of alcohol and inhaling “laughing gas” at a party in South London.
The gas, usually inhaled through balloons, can make people feel relaxed, euphoric and giggly, hence its nickname. But its use can lead to sudden loss of blood pressure and fainting from being deprived of oxygen, and in some cases heart attacks.
Ian says “I hope that this matter is on the radar of our local authorities, police and community safety teams, and that measures are being put in place to raise awareness and prevent similar tragedies happening here in Harlow”.
The post Community champion say presence of nitrous oxide capsules in Harlow is “no laughing matter” appeared first on Your Harlow.