Warning laughing gas ban could mean bigger uptake in more harmful drugs
Nitrous Oxide is now officially a Class C drug and people found in possession of it could be hit with an unlimited fine.
There is a warning a blanket ban on laughing gas could result in users turning to more dangerous substances.
A new UK Government law now means that Nitrous Oxide is a Class C drug and people found to be in possession of it could be hit with an unlimited fine.
Austin Smith from the Scottish Drugs Forum told MFR: "Those other substances could actually involve more risk and harm to people than Nitrous Oxide.
"People who do continue to use Nitrous Oxide will do so in a more clandestine way and they may not look for help with their problem usage.
"The vast majority of people who use this substance do so infrequently and it is important we do not imagine we will ever exist in a society where there is no drug use."
Secondary legislation, due to be laid today, will mean possession of nitrous oxide, where a person intends to wrongfully inhale it – for example ‘to get high’ – will be an offence.
David Kennedy from the Scottish Police Federation said: "This allows officers to react appropriately to people using the substance and they have not been able to do that until now.
"We need to see officers going into schools to teach young people about the dangers of drugs."