Following persistent lobbying and the launch of her campaign with the Home Secretary last year, Anna Firth MP has welcomed the Government’s decision to expedite a public call for evidence on the health and social harms of nitrous oxide – colloquially known as ‘laughing gas.’
The consultation is being run by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to investigate the links between nitrous oxide misuse and antisocial behaviour, associated crime and impact on local communities, as well as environment impact.
In July, there were hundreds of nitrous oxide canisters confiscated from crowds of teenagers who had flocked from London and disrupted peace for thousands of families on the Southend seafront.
Coupled with rising cases of anti-social behaviour, littering and other criminal activity, Essex Police were forced to introduce dispersal orders across the High Street, Esplanade, and Marine Parade.
The Southend West MP has been working with Southend Police to lobby the Home Office for greater police powers and to tackle harmful drugs such as nitrous oxide which bring trouble to an otherwise peaceful city.
Following the conclusion of the consultation, the Home Secretary is expected to consider whether laughing gas should be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Anna said,
“The scenes we saw on our beaches last July were completely unacceptable, and I have been calling for urgent action from the Home Office since to protect our community.”
“Therefore, I welcome the Government’s decision to expedite the review on whether nitrous oxide should be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act.”
