Durham councillors call for controls on nitrous oxide - also known as 'hippy crack'

Known as laughing gas and "hippy crack" and sold in small silver canisters, it has been used by children as young as 10, a council meeting heard.

Now Durham County Council has agreed to call on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to review the harm caused by nitrous oxide "and better understand whether further restrictions on the drug are needed".

It also called for the police and others to be empowered to deal with anti-social behaviour issues caused by such substance misuse.

Read more: Home Secretary urged to ban consumer sales of laughing gas

Councillor Cathy Hunt put forward the motion to "chase up the response" from the ACMD, which has already been asked for a fresh assessment of the drug's harms by the Government.

She said nitrous oxide was used widely by youths, contributed to anti-social behaviour, harmed users' health and caused reckless behaviour like "jumping into rivers to escape police and running in front of traffic" in altered states of mind.

"Lack of restrictions on nitrous oxide makes it impossible for the police to combat," she added.

Cllr Cathy Hunt. Picture: Durham County Council. (Image: Durham County Council)

"The police cannot intervene with people in possession of nitrous oxide canisters, even if they are in circumstances where they are clearly not being used for their legitimate use. This needs to be looked at."

Cllr Craig Martin seconded the motion, saying: "How difficult is it to get nitrous oxide? It's easier than getting an appointment to see your GP. You can get it quicker than some of our A&E waiting times.

"So easy to get a hold of, anyone can get it delivered to their door, no questions asked, legally.

"Its ease of access is the reason why it has become one of the most popular mind-altering substances used on our streets right now.

"We're calling on controls to make it just a bit harder to get, for example age verification.

Cllr Craig Martin. Picture: Durham County Council.

"But I want to make it clear - we need a public health approach... as opposed to slapping convictions on people.

"County Durham drug and alcohol services do a great job. They're passionate about reducing harm and making our communities safer and we should empower this agency. Whereas criminalising users just leads to being labelled a 'wrong 'un', reducing their opportunities, pushes them into a pathway of further drug use."

Nitrous oxide has legitimate uses in medicine and dentistry. It is illegal to supply it for its psychoactive effect but it is not a crime to possess it.

Councillors spoke of the drug's use leading to lockdown "waterside parties and raves" and potential harm for users like vitamin deficiency, overdoses, brain damage, lack of oxygen, suffocation and death.

Read more: Laughing gas causing spinal injuries in young people, doctors warn

Cllr Bev Coult said it was the second most commonly used recreational drug behind cannabis and the council needed to "ask that preventative action is taken as a matter of urgency".

Cllr John Shuttleworth, cabinet member for community safety and vice chair of the Safer Durham Partnership, said: "Nitrous oxide is a dangerous drug. Obviously community members are worried about the disturbance caused by those using the drug in public."

Labour group leader Cllr Carl Marshall put forward an amendment for the council to write to the Home Secretary instead: "I think this Government has it well within its gift to sort this out if there was political will, so let's do away with the smoke and mirrors.

"Let's make sure we send the letter to the people who can actually do something about it."

Cllr Bell said the Home Secretary could not solve the problem at the stroke of a pen: "It is the advisory council which weighs up all the evidence and decides whether or not restrictions are advisable. They then recommend to the Home Office."

Read more: Council leader - 'no secret deal' on Durham devolution

Cllr Robert Potts, a former police sergeant, said the ACMD was made up of experts while he had seen rushed drug legislation fail because of Governments' "rash decisions".

Cllr Marshall said making unlawful possession of the drug an offence should also be considered.

Council leader Cllr Amanda Hopgood said this was "criminalising young people" and "absolutely despicable".

Cllr Hunt said: "I am not one for criminalising children and the main issue here is the ready sale of nitrous oxide and how easily it is accessible to young people. We're talking children the age of 10, 11, 12 years old who are using these capsules.

"I'm proud of us all for standing up for something that we believe is wrong. And politically I don't care, I just want this thing stopped."

Cllr Marshall's amendment was defeated by a 59-50 vote and Cllr Hunt's original motion was carried 107-0 with one absention.

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