Nitrous oxide canisters gathered for disposal in Hawke's Bay, and thought to have come mainly from the dangerous recreational use known as a "nang". Photo / Doug Laing
Nitrous oxide canisters gathered for disposal in Hawke's Bay, and thought to have come mainly from the dangerous recreational use known as a "nang". Photo / Doug Laing
Health Minister Simeon Brown is examining how effective toughened sanctions on recreational use of nitrous oxide have been, as concerns mount over increased use of large nang containers in Hawke’s Bay.
A tougher stance was taken last year when the Government increased maximum penalties for illicit supply to $500,000 forcompanies and prison terms of up to two years for individuals.
Anyone found with an “unapproved psychoactive substance” can be fined up to $500.
Nangs have for many years been common in small steel canisters and are prohibited from sale to people aged under 18, or for recreational use.
Brown said in a response statement to a Hawke’s Bay Today request for comment that nitrous oxide misuse could cause “significant and lasting harm, particularly for young people”.
“The Government takes this issue very seriously, which is why tougher enforcement measures were introduced last year.
“These changes were designed to provide greater clarity for retailers and enforcement agencies and to ensure there are appropriate consequences when the law is not followed.”
With a concerned Hawke’s Bay group calling for further limits, including sales to be restricted only to the catering and bakery supplies industries, Brown said: “I have requested advice on how effective these changes have been, including whether the penalties are adequate, to ensure we can keep New Zealanders safe.”
Meanwhile, the Hawke’s Bay Secondary School Principals Association expects to discuss the problem at its next meeting, including inviting a speaker from Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora.
Association chair and Napier Girls’ High School principal Dawn Ackroyd said that while the principals were not aware of any specific issues within their schools, it was “clearly alarming and something we take very seriously”.
In securing a speaker, the association is seeking expert guidance so the schools can respond in a ”proactive, informed way", Ackroyd said.
“The safety and wellbeing of our young people remains at the forefront of all that we do,” she said.
While issues have arisen in Napier, with numerous reports of the larger canisters discarded in streets and parks, and significant numbers gathered by collections and disposal agent Gasworkz, Central Hawke’s Bay College principal Lance Christiansen says it doesn’t seem to have hit his area.
“We have not had any instances of this being used at the school, during the week or over the weekends,” he said.
“It seems not to be an issue down here at the moment, thank goodness.”
Police were “working closely” with Health NZ to understand how best to support enforcement, they said.
As shown in a media release last month, they are focused on road safety and the impact of impaired driving brought about by consuming “NOS”.
Bay of Plenty police reported seeing an increase of nitrous oxide use while driving, related to previously more common small silver cannisters.
Used "nang" canisters collected in Hawke's Bay for disposal. Photo / Doug Laing
In mid-afternoon on January 7, a Rotorua driver was stopped after a member of the public observed the driver inhaling from a balloon in the city.
The 18-year-old driver was stopped by police, charged with dangerous driving and was forbidden to drive.
Bay of Plenty road policing manager Inspector Phil Gillbanks said the effects of inhalation “might be temporary“, but there was ”no margin for error when you’re driving tonnes of metal around”.
Dr Neil Anderson, Neurological Foundation medical adviser and a neurologist at Auckland Hospital, said a major problem is with the “huge doses” being used.
Anderson told the Herald that people buy hundreds of these nangs and use them over 24-48 hours, “or you can buy canisters of nitrous oxide and fill a balloon and use it that way”.
Emily Hughes, the principal science adviser at the New Zealand Drug Foundation, said the availability of bigger canisters has led to increased problems.
“Large canisters make it easier for a person to use larger amounts and make it harder to keep track of how much has been used.”
Doug Laing is a Hawke’s Bay Today reporter based in Napier, with more than 40 years’ experience covering events and issues in the region.
