Prevent "laughing gas" from reaching young people
(Baonghean.vn) - Recently, the use of "laughing gas" (Funkyball) has become a trend among a segment of teenagers. The open sale and use of laughing gas in some bars, cafes... is also posing a great danger to young people in Vinh city.
Many cases of storing and using "laughing gas" were discovered.
Typically, at 10:30 p.m. on January 30, 2018, the Economic Police Team (Vinh City Police) coordinated with Hung Binh Ward Police to suddenly raid a bar located at 02 Le Hong Phong Street (Vinh City) for an administrative inspection.
 |
| Many young people inhale laughing gas at SkyLounge bar at 02 Le Hong Phong, Vinh city. Photo: Duc Vu |
At the time of the inspection, the police discovered on the 3rd floor of the bar dozens of young men and women were dancing to extremely loud music, accompanied by a lot of Shisha smoke, many young men and women were intoxicated and carefree inhaling laughing gas. Checking the warehouse at the bar, the police also discovered 02 gas cylinders to inflate "laughing gas" and 170 rubber balloons (unused).
Previously, at 9:30 p.m. on October 29, 2017, the Economic Police Team (Vinh City Police) inspected Viktor the Pub in Block 1, Truong Thi Ward and discovered Nguyen Thi Quynh Hoa (born 2000), residing in Dinh Son Commune, Anh Son District, selling "laughing gas" to customers.
It is known that Hoa is a waitress at this restaurant. Checking the Viktor the Pub area, the Task Force discovered 11 large gas cylinders containing N2O gas (laughing gas). At the time of inspection, the restaurant's manager could not present a business license for N2O gas as well as documents proving the origin of this product on the list of restricted industrial use.
 |
| 12 gas cylinders used to inflate laughing gas balloons were discovered in a rented room in block 2, Cua Nam ward (Vinh city) of Pham Van Nguyen. Photo: Nhat Tuan |
Recently, on January 31, 2018, the Investigation Police Agency of Nghi Loc District Police announced that the unit had successfully broken Project 119L, arresting Pham Van Nguyen (born in 1991), residing in Hung Phuc Commune, Hung Nguyen District, for using high technology to defraud and appropriate 160 million VND from many victims.
After arresting Nguyen and searching his rented room in Block 2, Cua Nam Ward (Vinh City), the authorities also discovered 12 gas cylinders used to inflate laughing gas balloons. Nghi Loc District Police are currently continuing to investigate.
Laughing balloons and related equipment such as gas cylinders for pumping balloons are also openly sold on Facebook pages such as "Vinh Laughing Balloons - Nghe An", "Thanh Vinh Laughing Balloons", "Vinh Laughing Balloons", "Vinh Laughing Balloons - Cua Lo"...
 |
| Laughing gas for sale on facebook |
Unforeseen dangers
“Laughing gas” makes users feel excited, hallucinating and funny, so it is popular among young people when going to bars and cafes to increase the attractiveness and fun at parties. The gas pumped into laughing gas is “laughing gas” (N2O) has the international name Dinitrogen monoxide or Nitrous oxide.
Currently, N2O is not considered a drug because it is not prohibited by law and is still used in medicine. However, according to medical experts, the abuse of inhaling 'laughing gas' can cause unpredictable harm: direct impact on the cardiovascular system, neurological disorders and especially permanent brain damage, the worst consequence that can happen is leading to depression or death.
The incident of 7 victims dying at a music festival in Ho Tay (Hanoi) in September 2018 is a warning lesson for young people about using addictive substances. During the investigation of the scene, the police seized several nylon bags containing ketamine and many items suspected of containing synthetic drugs, along with hundreds of used laughing gas balloons.
Difficult processing
The current difficulty is that according to the International Convention on Narcotic Drugs and Substances N2O has not been classified as a precursor or a narcotic substance, so it is very difficult to handle. Recently, the authorities have increased inspection and handling of some entertainment venues such as bars, karaoke bars, and coffee shops that sell laughing gas, but this has only stopped at the level of administrative penalties, so it has not created a strong enough deterrent, especially for the "supply" source.
 |
| Used laughing gas was found in the trash of SkyLoungelo bar. Photo: Duc Vu |
Therefore, in addition to the participation of functional forces, there needs to be cooperation and coordination between authorities at all levels, families, schools, and organizations in propaganda and education work, creating a healthy playground for young people to stay away from the dangers of "laughing gas", especially during the New Year and Spring. Because this is the time when students are on vacation, college and university students return to their hometowns to celebrate Tet, meet and socialize with friends with the mentality of "relaxing", so they are easily enticed and enticed to use stimulants.
