Councillor raises concern about nitrous oxide use in West Dublin

Sinn Féin Councillor Angela Donnelly says she was “shocked at the sight” of roughly 16 empty nitrous oxide cans at a gate into Hartstown Park in Dublin 15.

“A local resident told me that there were about ten lads hanging around the area last night and this morning she came across these empty cans when completing the daily school run. To think that each of the lads had almost 2 full cans each is frightening,” she said.

“Empty cans of nitrous oxide can be seen all over Dublin 15 and further afield but the sight of so many that were used by a relatively small group is truly shocking.”

Donnelly said she has passed the information onto Blanchardstown garda station, and asked for more patrols around the park.

“I have also asked if we could organise an educational piece for students in Dublin 15,” stating that the issue is is a “growing problem, and a generation of young people are growing up using this gas for recreational purposes without knowing the risks they are subjecting themselves to.”

Health experts have warned that the cans could result in ‘dissociative effects’, such as euphoria, giddiness, headaches, dizziness or blurred vision, along with a loss of balance and disorientation.

Usage of the cans can be problematic for those with asthma, with heavy use possibly resulting in tightness in the chest, and irritating the respiratory tract in others.

In some cases, usage can create a change in blood pressure or sudden death due to a lack of oxygen.

Donnelly noted that each person will react differently to the gas, and as such the effects are unpredictable.

Nitrous oxide is not currently a controlled substance under Ireland’s Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and can be legally sold for catering and industrial purposes, but is illegal to sell nitrous oxide for human consumption.