Hindley St precinct group calls for nitrous oxide ‘nangs’ to be regulated
A Hindley St precinct group wants better control of nangs – because the “pest” canisters are a tripping hazard.
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A Hindley St traders group has backed a crackdown on the sale of dangerous nitrous oxide canisters, saying it would improve reveller safety.
Adelaide West End Association chairman Andrew Wallace supported regulating the sale of the canisters – also known as laughing gas or “nangs” – which were often strewn across the ground, creating a tripping hazard.
“They have just become a pest – for the public and the people who take them,” Mr Wallace said.
“They leave them around on the footpath rolling around and you could really hurt yourself … they are really hard and when you stand on them it is like standing on ball bearings.
“If they are taken away from the entertainment precincts, maybe as an extension of the public precinct, that could be a good way to control it.”
The Declared Public Precinct gives police increased power to maintain public safety in the West End entertainment precinct on Friday nights and on weekends, between 6pm and 6am.
The Advertiser reported yesterday the State Government had agreed to look at tightening the rules for selling the gas, which gives a brief feeling of euphoria when inhaled.
It can also cause cold burns through to permanent brain and nerve damage.
Adelaide City councillor Arman Abrahimzadeh witnessed the extent of nang use during a tour of Hindley St – hosted by Encounter Youth – in July.
“Another thing that needs to work hand-in-hand (with regulation) is an education campaign to stop this from happening in two, three, five, 10 years time,” Cr Abrahimzadeh said.
Four convenience stores on Hindley St sell the canisters.
An SA Police spokeswoman said: “SAPOL will continue to appropriately deal with any public order type offences that occur in the city and surrounding areas.”
The Controlled Substances Act already bans the sale of nitrous oxide to children under 16.
It is also illegal to sell it to a person of any age if there is a suspicion the buyer will inhale the gas.
The maximum penalty is a $10,000 fine or two years imprisonment.