Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 February 2024
296. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health what actions his Department is taking in relation to nitrous oxide gas; if research has been carried out by the HSE in relation to the potential dangers of taking this gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5790/24]
View answerStrengthening the prevention of drug and alcohol use among children and young people is a strategic priority under the national drugs strategy. In May 2023, I announced the five successful projects for a new €1.5 million drug prevention and education funding scheme. The projects already have strong track records in drug prevention. With funding support over the next three years, the projects can demonstrate evidence-based initiatives that engage with people who may be at risk of using drugs in a variety of contexts – schools, communities, universities, and the night-time economy - through timely preventative interventions at an early stage.
Nitrous oxide falls under the definition of a psychoactive substance and a solvent. Section 3 of the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances Act) 2010 states that a person who sells a psychoactive substance knowing or being reckless as to whether that substance is being acquired or supplied for human consumption shall be guilty of an offence.
Section 74 of the Child Care Act 1991 states that it shall be an offence for a person to sell, offer or make available a substance to a person under the age of eighteen years or to a person acting on behalf of that person if he knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the substance is, or its fumes are, likely to be inhaled by the person under the age of eighteen years for the purpose of causing intoxication.
I am fully supportive of the work of An Garda Síochána, whose responsibility it is to enforce this legislation.
The European drugs agency (EMCDDA) recently conducted an EU wide review of nitrous oxide and highlighted a number of key issues regarding the prevention of use including the role of youth workers, the targeted distribution of messaging, and the role of parents. In line with EMCDDA recommendations, the Department and the HSE continue to monitor the use of nitrous oxide and to tailor appropriate and targeted messages to address the use of nitrous oxide.
The HSE has developed a harm reduction factsheet on use of nitrous oxide including the risks, effects and harm reduction advice. The factsheet has been disseminated to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces, student unions, and at festivals and third level institutions.
Targeted ads are shared every few weeks on the topic of nitrous oxide with audiences over the age of 18, as well as messages which aim to create awareness of long-term use, which can cause vitamin B12 deficiency in some individuals, and signs of concern which people can look out for.
Parents are offered information on nitrous oxide in various formats by the HSE. An important goal is to ensure that parents are well-informed about nitrous oxide, and specific information is available on drugs.ie and through a bespoke parent factsheet. To complement this new content, a series of webinars on substance use prevention and education was provided for parents during in 2023.
Drugs.ie and social media channels provide nitrous oxide content that is informative, helpful and shareable. The HSE social media team respond directly to people’s questions about substances including nitrous oxide through direct messages on all channels. HSE social media posts drive traffic to its dedicated nitrous oxide web content on drugs.ie.
It is imperative that we support evidence-based initiatives that engage with people who may be at risk of using drugs in a variety of contexts; in our schools, communities, universities, and the night-time economy, through timely preventative interventions. I welcome the collaborative response to the use of nitrous oxide across Government departments, the HSE and An Garda Síochána.
