Nitrous Oxide Latest Drug To Hit High Schools

March 15, 2001--

Police and school administrators are noticing another trend that's worked its way from rave parties to school campuses: Hollow tubes about two inches long and tapered at one end.

Not a lot of people know what they are, but they will now. Stacey Butler explains.

Resources Dangers of Recreational Use of Nitrous Oxide Parentsplace.com Inhalant Abuse Natl Institute on Drug Abuse National Inhalant Prevention Council

Sgt. Darren Carr/Salt Lake Co. Sheriff's Dept.: "I THINK IT'S A BIG PROBLEM, AND I THINK IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET BIGGER UNLESS PEOPLE START TO REALIZE WHAT'S GOING ON OUT THERE."

Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas as it's more commonly known, is the lastest drug to hit not only the rave scene, but local high schools as well.

The vice principal at Skyline High stumbled across cartridge after cartridge of the potentially deadly gas on the tennis courts.

Dan Snarr/Vice Principal: "IT'S JUST CONCERNING THAT THERE ARE THAT MANY AROUND THE SCHOOL."

Stacey Butler/Eyewitness News: "THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER REALIZED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WHEN HE FOUND MORE AND MORE NITROUS OXIDE CONTAINERS HERE ON CAMPUS."

Sgt. Darren Carr/Salt Lake Co. Sheriff's Dept.: "RIGHT THEN WE TOLD HIM WHAT'S HAPPENING. 'YOUR KIDS ARE GOING OUT DURING LUNCHTIME AND IN BETWEEN CLASSES, CRACKING THESE OPEN AND GETTING A QUICK HIGH.'"

Deputies say the problem isn't limited to Skyline High.

Nitrous oxide used by many teens basically cuts off oxygen to the brain. One breath of it can give you a high for a few seconds.

If you take it for too long--you can get permanant brain damage. If you take too much, you can pass out, and even die.

"YOU FILL UP A BALLOON, AND NO ONE'S THERE TO SAY 'OH, YOU'RE ABOUT 105 POUNDS. YOU SHOULD GET SO MANY CC'S, HERE YOU GO.'"

Nitrous oxide is quick-acting and usually leaves the body immediately. So typical signs of drug use, like red eyes, or an odor, don't apply.

Sgt. Darren Carr/Salt Lake Co. Sheriff's Dept: "SO WHAT PARENTS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS HAVE TO DO IS THEY HAVE TO LOOK FOR THE SIGNS OF THE PARAPHENALIA."

Like balloons attached to small cartridges or whipping cream chargers used to make whipped cream in restaurant style cannisters. Or spent cartridges.

Selling nitrous oxide is not against the law in Utah.

Legislation is being considered that would make selling large amounts of it illegal, and give stiffer penalties to those who use it.