Following its abuse by recreational users, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has ordered an immediate crackdown on the unlawful sale and use of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas.
Mohamed Buba Marwa, the agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, directed all commands and formations to begin the crackdown on the illegal substance immediately.
Mr. Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, stated this in a statement on Tuesday.
The decision to crack down on people involved in the illicit sale and use of nitrous oxide, according to the command, is the result of an analysis of the impacts on those who abuse the substance, which include: “dizziness; disorientation; headache; lightheadedness; fainting spells; hallucinations; falling unconscious and/or suffocating from lack of oxygen; and other neurological complications, especially psychiatric symptoms.”
Nitrous oxide is a colorless gas that is often used to induce drowsiness and relieve pain. However, in recent years, it has been used to make people feel inebriated. They fill balloons with gas and inhale it to produce a happy mood.
According to a 2021 estimate, more than 40% of Nigerian teenagers between the ages of 18 and 35 were heavily involved in drug misuse. Brain injury and mental illness are two of the risks linked to inhaling the gas.
