Laughing Gas Is Bad For Your Health - NDLEA, Declares War On Sellers And Abusers

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, under the leadership of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the    Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has called for  a crusade against illegal sale and intake of nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as laughing gas.

 The  colourless gas which is also called N20 and originally used by professionals in the field of medicine to sedate and relieve patients of pain is now being inhaled in balloons during recreational activities by mostly young people in order to 'get high'. 

In an official statement released on Tuesday 11th July, the NDLEA said the decision to declare war against those who illegally sell and abuse nitrous oxide is as a result of research carried out regarding the negative outcomes of those who consume the gas.

These outcomes vary from headaches, hallucinations, lightheadedness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, general impairment, loss of coordination, mental issues, disorientation, hypoxia and other health issues.

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The Agency whose mission is "to deploy all resources at our disposal for the total eradication of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, by cutting off the supply of illicit drugs and bringing suppliers to book, reducing the demand for illicit drugs and other substances of abuse and tracing and recovering drug-related proceeds, through effective drug law enforcement" said discussions are taking place with officials of the Federal Ministry of Health and other stakeholders on what specific measures to take to end this major societal issue rearing its uglyhead  and will in due time, waste no time in sparing no one irrespective of his or her status in the society involved either in the sale or abusive intake of the gas to foster a healthy society.