Photo: AFP/ GARO
A Checkpoint investigation has revealed how easy it is to get potentially dangerous nitrous oxide or nangs in large quantities from dairies, vape stores and convenience stores.
The gas has legitimate medical uses and is also used in catering to whip cream, however it is illegal to supply, possess or use the gas recreationally.
Checkpoint visited 16 stores across three areas in Auckland and found at least half were willing to sell canisters of the gas in a range of sizes with virtually no checks.
One vape store sold 1.1L and 3.3L canisters of the gas, for $50 and $150 respectively. It also offered a “combo” price of $170 for the pair.
At another dairy visited by Checkpoint, the shop keeper had a range of products available to buy – from packs of the small, silver tubes of nitrous oxide to the larger, thermos-sized 1.1L canister. The shop-keeper also said the 1.1L was the most popular size.
Several dairies offered packs of the silver tubes, with prices ranging from $10 for the 10-pack to about $60 for a 50-pack.
The gas was also available to purchase on its own, without cream dispensers. Only one dairy clarified verbally that the canisters were only to be “used for baking”.
Nitrous oxide products available to purchase one of the stores visited by Checkpoint in Auckland.
Photo: RNZ / Teuila Fuatai
Doctors and community leaders have been particularly concerned about the availability of the thermos-sized 1.1L and 3.3L canisters.
Dr Nicholas Jones is the medical officer of health in Hawke’s Bay, where two cases of nerve damage have recently been linked to huffing of nitrous oxide.
At a recent community meeting on the issue, he said people were alarmed to hear that recycling services in the region were collecting around 300kg of empty canisters a fortnight.
That does suggest “there’s quite a significant amount of this being used”, he said.
Large canisters of nitrous oxide can be easily purchased.
Photo: Supplied
While nitrous oxide has traditionally been viewed at the lower end of the harm-spectrum for psychoactive substances, Jones highlighted the potential risks around large amounts of the gas being accessible and available.
“What seems to have changed recently is the availability of these large canisters, you know, up to 3.3L of gas, whereas in the past people may have used the small silver canisters about, I think it’s about 8 grams or something, a relatively low amount.”
“You’re able to then actually access 3.3L, you could be using it for a prolonged period of time over a long period of time.”
That increased risks significantly, he said.
Dr Nicholas Jones.
Photo: RNZ / Anusha Bradley
“Although it’s not known for being a drug that causes, you know, psychological dependence, obviously the longer you use it and the more you use it, the higher the risk of, you know, becoming dependent on it.
“With chronic use you can start developing nerve damage associated with vitamin B12 deficiency.”
He suspected this could become more common, especially as people may not understand the risks of nitrous oxide-use.
“One of the problems is that people may be ringing up with concerns, health concerns, but not necessarily identifying the fact that they’re associated with, you know, the use of nitrous oxide.”
Checkpoint also spoke to a woman whose adult child became a heavy user of nitrous oxide last year.
The woman asked to remain anonymous but wanted to share her family’s experience in the hope more could be done to prevent abuse of the substance.
She said her daughter became hooked the gas and was using the large, thermos-sized canisters.
It caused physical problems for her daughter like anaemia, numbness in the her fingers and toes, and issues with bumping into things, she said.
Her daughter also ended up in hospital because of nerve damage, and the addiction had severe mental health impacts and led to self-harm.
The woman said the family found the gas was being purchased from a vape store.
When they went in to see what checks were in place, they found customers were asked to write down their name and the intended use for their purchase on a piece of paper.
She said people had written down names like “John Smith” and that they wanted the gas for a “21st birthday cake”
The woman said police investigated the store, which was eventually closed down. However, she remained concerned about the availability of the gas, and pointed out the closed-vape shop was simply one outlet selling nitrous-oxide products.
She also said her daughter had recovered after quitting “cold turkey” and getting help. The family now want the government to be more proactive and shut down illegal sales.
For anyone affected by issues discussed in this story, free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor. Or call 0800 Lifeline or text HELP to 4357.
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