CALLS are being made for a crackdown on the illegal use of nitrous oxide gas after about 100 empty canisters were found in a car park in Bradford.

It is illegal to sell the drug, colloquially known as laughing gas, for human consumption.

Councillor Rachel Sunderland (Lib Dem, Bolton & Undercliffe) found the large quantity of spent gas canisters in Killinghall Road car park, opposite her office.

She said she was particularly alarmed that people were driving their cars shortly after inhaling the drug.

Cllr Sunderland said: “Nitrous oxide is depressant-type drug, which means it slows down your brain and your body’s responses.

“The effects of nitrous oxide vary but include feelings of euphoria, relaxation and calmness, dizziness, difficulty in thinking straight and fits of giggles/laughter and sound distortions or even hallucinations.

“I have never seen the numbers of canisters before in Undercliffe.

“It is illegal for these canisters to be sold for human consumption. There is a piece of work to find out where these canisters are coming from and to stop this supply.

“There are legitimate medical uses for this gas but inhaling the contents of these canisters is really dangerous.

“What is particularly concerning is these people are clearly inhaling this drug and then driving away in a car.

“In 2015, 188 people were killed or seriously injured on Bradford’s roads and we need to tackle this reckless behaviour. Not only does this pose a risk for the individuals' own health but for others using Bradford’s roads.”

“If people are seeing these canisters in other parts of the district I would urge them to log it with the police.”

Cllr Sunderland has written to West Yorkshire Police asking if the vendors of gas canisters could be targeted.

Sergeant Dave Collyer, of the Bradford East area neighbourhood team, said: “We are aware of Councillor Sunderland’s concerns and are making inquiries into where the canisters may have come from.

“There are several legitimate uses for nitrous oxide, but under the Psychoactive Substances Act which became law last year it is an offence to supply or possess with intent to supply nitrous oxide for human consumption.

“Officers across West Yorkshire are enforcing this new legislation proportionately, targeting those who are breaking the law by producing or supplying dangerous and uncontrolled substances.

“We continue to remind people of the dangers of using substances.

“We would also like to remind people that anyone whose driving is found to be impaired by drink or drugs could receive a heavy fine, be disqualified from driving or even sent to prison.”

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