Teens using off-duty drivers for late-night nang deliveries

Melbourne teens chasing a quick chemical high are getting deadly drugs brought to their door by late-night food delivery drivers.

Late-night delivery drivers are bringing deadly drugs to the homes and parties of Victorian teenagers chasing quick chemical highs.

More than 20 businesses are selling nitrous oxide bulbs, known as nangs, under the guise of baking supplies despite evidence the gas can kill and cause permanent damage when inhaled.

Nangs are cheaper than a pizza and delivered in the same time, often by off-duty food drivers in UberEats bags.

Police have urged members of the public to dob in illegal sites, warning operators can face fines of up to $8000 and two years in jail.

Although there are legal uses for the drug, it is an offence to sell them for human consumption and to minors.

The low cost and ease of delivery has led to reports that almost a quarter of Australian 18 to 29 year olds had used nangs to get high in the past year.

Nangs, also known as nozzies, bulbs, and whippets, create a brief 30-second high when ingested. Picture: Tertius Pickard

There are dozens of Instagram and TikTok accounts masquerading as Melbourne based baking companies advertising quick late-night and weekend nang deliveries across the city and regional areas.

The Herald Sun contacted multiple sellers marketing products for “late night baking needs” on the social media accounts, which were followed by scores of people who appeared to be minors.

One service offered ten free packs if the delivery took more than an hour, and many were selling 50 nangs for $50 or $150 for a cream canister combo. The most expensive products are $1000 “swag tanks”.

Few requested proof-of-age cards before making delivery arrangements, with one seller accepting an “on campus” delivery without specifying whether it was a school or university.

Three others agreed to deliver to a request for nangs “after school” with no ID requested.

Customers gave one business five stars: “I never knew I could get cream chargers delivered so fast. Perfect for a late-night party,” said one review.

Videos posted to TikTok show Melbourne teens ingesting the nitrous oxide product – also known as nozzies, bulbs, hippy crack, buzz bombs and whippets that release the chemical through small bulbs.

People ingest nangs for a brief, 30 second high that can leave them feeling euphoric and incredibly relaxed.

The Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System shows users a median session involves ten bulbs, up to a maximum of 25. One user who ended up in hospital had consumed 1,000 nangs over just three days.

The gas has been linked to two deaths since 2010, including a 2018 schoolie who fell from a Gold Coast balcony after inhaling nangs.

Nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas, is legally sold for medical purposes by doctors and dentists and for commercial purposes such as making whipped cream.

The Global Drug Survey shows use of nitrous oxide doubled from ten to 20 per cent between 2015 and 2021.

Dozens of Melbourne based businesses masquerading as baking companies are delivering potentially dangerous cream chargers to homes. Picture: Supplied

Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association executive officer Sam Biondo said the dangerous trend was difficult for authorities to control.

“The biggest issue lies in the lack of corporate social responsibility and the desire to make profit off other people misusing these products, which shows a disregard for people’s health and welfare,” Mr Biondo said.

“People need to be aware that continued use of any substance can have some psychological or biological side effects. There may be some psychological dependency over a long period of time, and probably a vitamin B12 deficiency.

“We’re very concerned about the lack of corporate social responsibility.”

South Australia is the only state to have reigned in dodgy nang sellers, with a law prohibiting them to be sold by retail outlets between 10pm and 5am.

Australian Medical Association vice president Dr Chris Moy oversaw the legal changes in South Australia and wants to see an extension of the restrictions in other states.

“You can die suddenly and there can also be many long-term issues,” he said.

“The legislation needs to allow people to obtain the gas for commercial and medical use but balanced with a ban on recreational use. It makes sense that these barriers to sale are in place elsewhere – it all helps,” he said.

Dr Moy said that when people inhale nitrous oxide they are placing oxygen in their lungs with another gas.

“You can get hypoxy brain damage from a lack of oxygen,” he said. “It’s like holding your breath for too long.

“Even using it once can lead to memory loss or other psychiatric conditions.

“It can lead to a loss of blood pressure, fainting, heart attacks, brain damage and other psychological conditions,” he said.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said she was aware of several websites and online platforms facilitating the supply and delivery of nitrous oxide across Victoria.

“Those engaged in unlawful supply of nitrous oxide for human consumption can face fines in excess of $8000, as well as up to two years imprisonment,” she said.

The Australian Trends in Ecstasy and Related Drugs Survey shows two-thirds of regular drug users in Victoria inhaled nitrous oxide in the previous six months – the highest in the country.

The Therapeutic Goods Association has ruled that from October there will need to be new poisons labels on nitrous oxide, warning that non-therapeutic use can cause irreversible nerve damage. No such warnings exist at present.A state government spokesperson for Health Minister Martin Foley said it was illegal to supply nitrous oxide for non-therapeutic purposes, but stopped short of calling for any legislative changes to its sale or supply.

What are nangs?

“Nang” is a street name given to a cream charger, a small canister of nitrous oxide

It is a common anaesthetic and also used in kitchens to whip cream and foams.

If inhaled it can cause brain damage, memory loss, a weakened immune system, and even death. The product can lead to a 20 to 30-second high but has been linked to memory loss, psychosis, heart attacks, paralysis and even death.