In a bid to tackle the rising trend of nitrous oxide abuse among young party-goers and fun-seekers, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has implemented a nationwide clampdown on the sale and use of the substance. Nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as “laughing gas,” is a colorless gas used by medical professionals for sedation and pain relief during minor medical procedures.

Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd), Chairman of the NDLEA, issued the order in response to the alarming increase in the recreational use of nitrous oxide as a drug. The agency has observed a surge in demand for the substance, prompting the need for immediate action.

Speaking on behalf of the agency, spokesperson Femi Babafemi emphasized that the NDLEA would not hesitate to take strict measures against anyone caught in possession of nitrous oxide. Babafemi stated, “The NDLEA CEO directed all commands and formations of the agency to begin an immediate clampdown on the illegal sale and use of nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas following its abuse by people who use it for recreational purposes.”

Nitrous oxide is typically transferred from its containers into balloons, which are then inhaled by users seeking intoxication or a feeling of being high. However, the consequences of such misuse can be severe. The NDLEA conducted an analysis of the substance’s effects on abusers, which revealed a range of alarming symptoms including dizziness, disorientation, headaches, lightheadedness, fainting spells, hallucinations, unconsciousness, suffocation due to oxygen deprivation, and other neurological complications, particularly psychiatric symptoms.

The agency acknowledges that immediate action is necessary to address this growing concern. While additional measures are being considered in consultation with stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health, the NDLEA is determined to wield the big stick against those involved in the illegal sale or use of nitrous oxide. The agency’s primary goal is to safeguard public health and well-being.

Brigadier General Buba Marwa urges parents, guardians, and all concerned stakeholders to remain vigilant and caution their young ones against experimenting with or abusing nitrous oxide. He highlights the serious risks the gas poses to users’ mental health and overall well-being.

The NDLEA’s crackdown on nitrous oxide abuse marks a significant step in combating this emerging drug trend in Nigeria. By taking decisive action and involving various stakeholders, the agency aims to protect the Nigerian population, especially the vulnerable youth, from the harmful effects of recreational nitrous oxide use.