ST HELENS Borough Council will continue its efforts to tackle the use of laughing gas, with future campaigns targeted at over 18s.

During a full council meeting this week, councillors debated a motion on nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as laughing gas.

Supply and production of the psychoactive drug carries up to seven years in prison, but getting hold of it legally is fairly easy due to its legitimate uses.

A recent report by The Royal College of Nursing UK (RCN) states the drug is predominantly being used by 16 to 24-year-olds, and is now the second most popular drug with this age group after cannabis.

On Wednesday, Rainhill Labour councillor Barrie Grunewald said there was “no doubt” that nitrous oxide was a gateway drug.

The former council leader said he was also concerned that laughing gas was seen as a “glamorous” drug, citing a number of Premier League footballers who have been linked to it.

According to the anti-drug advisory organisation Frank, heavy regular use of nitrous oxide can lead to a deficiency of vitamin B12 and can lead to serious nerve damage, causing tingling and numbness in the fingers and toes.

Too much nitrous oxide can also have deadly consequences through lack of oxygen.

“It is clear that there is currently not enough education and outreach being done to draw people’s attention to the early signs or irreversible nerve damage, tingling in their tongue and their fingers, for example,” Cllr Grunewald said.

“I therefore call on the council to further support local services in disseminating harm reduction and educational materials on nitrous oxide.

“The Royal College of Nursing has said that there is a lack of understanding about the health consequences.

“I know the Tories have slashed and decimated our public health budgets, but this is a serious concern that must be addressed.”

Laughing gas is stored in a canister, which is usually transferred to a balloon before being inhaled.

Cllr Grunewald said empty silver canisters have become a common sight on the borough’s streets and open spaces.

But he stressed the motion was not meant as an attack on teenagers or young people, saying they are “not the villains in this piece”.

Between July to September this year, the council ran the ‘N2Othing to Laugh About’ campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of nitrous oxide.

Cllr Jeanie Bell, cabinet member for safer, stronger communities, said this was due to growing concerns from the public over use of the drug.

The Newton Labour councillor said the campaign was successful in its reach, and she also revealed that other local authorities have been in touch to request if they can use the campaign.

Cllr Bell also revealed that current intelligence is saying the age group where further awareness is needed is with young adults aged 18 and above.

She said a future campaign is in the works that will be targeted at colleges and further and higher education facilities.

Cllr Bell said: “With the onset of autumn and winter, it’s probably likely that people will be less likely to gather in parks and open spaces.

“But just because we can’t see it, doesn’t mean that it’s not happening. It still will be happening and when we consider that according to the 2018-19 crime survey for England and Wales, it’s incredibly easy to get hold of the drug.

“A quarter of the respondents of that survey said they could obtain it within 24 hours either from friends, family members, dealers, shops, and the internes.

“So Cllr Grunewald is absolutely right on the need to continue and maintain that work on education. And that isn’t going to go away after one campaign or two campaigns.

“It’s going to be something we’re going to have to keep on doing.”

Rainford Conservative councillor Linda Mussell said there is a “significant lack of understanding” from professionals of the impacts nitrous oxide can have on the health and wellbeing of individuals.

The former district nurse said raising awareness of this issue locally with professionals and young people must continue, even in these “extraordinary times.”

The motion received cross-party support and was passed following a vote.

It resolved that the council will develop further public awareness campaigns for young people warning of the dangers of nitrous oxide, and include the issue within the future consultation on public space protection orders, to understand the views of residents on this issue.