A Dublin TD has asked the Minister for Health to set up an awareness campaign on the dangers of nitrous oxide or "laughing gas".
Mark Ward says large numbers of so called silver bullets, the canisters which hold the drug, have been discovered in parks and public areas in Clondalkin and Lucan.
The Sinn Féin deputy and former addiction worker says the misuse of the gas has become widespread among young people;
"You only have to walk around my area, Dubin Mid-West, and you'll be shocked how widespread this is by the amount of discarded silver bullets on the ground."
He went on to say that children who use the drug are playing Russian Roulette with their lives "they do not know how this will effect them until they actually take it."
Deputy Ward says an awareness programme on the dangers of nitrous oxide should be rolled out in schools across Dublin.
Minister's response
The Minister responded saying the Department of Health is providing €100,000 in 2020 to develop a national harm reduction campaign to raise awareness of the risks associated with drug use.
Simon Harris went on to say that;
"The HSE warned young people regarding the danger of using nitrous oxide (sometimes referred to as ‘laughing gas’) through a media release in January. New content was added to Drugs.ie outlining the effects and risks associated with nitrous oxide."
