Opposition propose 18+ age restrictions and register to cut down on rising nitrous oxide use in party strip and suburbs
Tiny silver canisters which once contained dangerous nitrous oxide gas dot the gutters of the city, and now the Opposition is looking to introduce stricter sales controls.
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The sale of dangerous nitrous oxide canisters to minors would be outlawed and all buyers would have to go on a register under flagged law changes.
As a frontline youth support group warns of revellers’ increasing abuse of the gas, the Opposition is preparing to launch a legislative crackdown. And the State Government has agreed to look at tightening rules for selling the canisters, also known as laughing gas or “nangs”.
The small canisters litter the drains, alleys and carparks of Hindley St. Users run the risk of cold burns through to permanent brain and nerve damage.
The gas is typically used for sedation and pain relief but is also sold commercially as a quick way of whipping cream.
Sold in packs of 10 or 24 over the counter at most convenience stores on Hindley St, the canisters give their users a brief feeling of euphoria and light-headedness.
State director of Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia Marina Bowshall said there were serious health risks associated with the use of the canisters.
“It is concerning that people are inhaling this substance,” she said.
“Short-terms effects can include dizziness (and) confusion and may lead to a lack of consciousness. Long-term use can lead to brain and nerve damage.”
Opposition assistant health spokesman Blair Boyer will propose an amendment to current legislation later this month that would ban sales to anyone under 18 and introduce a register system.
“Someone wanting to buy nangs will need to show identification and have their details, including name, address and quantity bought recorded,” Mr Boyer said.
“Under the current legislation it is illegal to sell the canisters for an illicit purpose.
“But that is weak and ineffectual. A store owner who sells the canisters with a pack of balloons can still claim to have no idea how they would be used.”
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.
Former federal minister Christopher Pyne has called on state MPs to act.
“Nangs can kill you. They are known to be responsible for brain damage, at least memory loss, fainting, hypoxia, vomiting and in the worst case, sudden death from lack of oxygen to the brain,” he writes in his exclusive column today.
“Are we going to have to wait for a spate of teenage deaths or brain damaged youths living in nursing homes from using nangs before the legislators take action to regulate or ban the sale of nitrous oxide canisters?”
A spokeswoman for the State Government said it was “happy to look at any proposals regarding further restricting sales”, but they would have to undergo extensive consultation with SA Health, police and industry.
Volunteers from charity Encounter Youth run support services on Hindley St on Saturday nights.
“Over the last two years we have seen an increased prevalence in the use of nitrous oxide canisters,” chief executive Nigel Knowles said.
“We believe that is because of the relative ease of access in buying them and their low cost. The canisters are available from the convenience stores 24 hours a day in and around the Hindley St entertainment area. They can be purchased for about 10 for approximately $8.50.”
Of six convenience stores around Hindley St visited by The Advertiser yesterday, four sold the canisters.
Two of the shops had boxes of them on display, while in another staff said the canisters were put out only on Saturday nights.
Mr Knowles said many users just discarded them along the party strip.
“Its not hard to see the evidence on the Saturday or Sunday mornings,” he said.
On a tour of Hindley St hosted by Encounter Youth in August, politicians including several ministers witnessed the extent of nang use.
Liberal MP Paula Luethen said since then she had also noticed the canisters around her own electorate in Adelaide’s north and northeast.
“I have come across nangs and discarded balloons on the sides of country roads in One Tree Hill (and) in the carpark at my local shops in Salisbury Heights,” she said. “I want to discuss with my colleagues how best to address this issue.”