POLICE are asking for anyone with information on youths in a Suffolk village using laughing gas to “get high” to get in touch with them.As reported in The Evening Star last week it is believed youngsters in Mendlesham have taken to using potentially lethal nitrous oxide to get a euphoric buzz.

POLICE are asking for anyone with information on youths in a Suffolk village using laughing gas to “get high” to get in touch with them.

As reported in The Evening Star last week it is believed youngsters in Mendlesham have taken to using potentially lethal nitrous oxide to get a euphoric buzz.

New and used cartridges of the substance, commonly known as laughing gas, have been found in the village and the parish council has sent out letters to residents to flag up the issue.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said the local beat officer had been made aware of the situation by the parish council.

“We received a report that a number of used cartridges had been found outside the community centre following a party,” the spokeswoman said.

“It appears that no offence has been committed but if anyone has information we would ask them to get in touch with us,” she added.

The law around nitrous oxide is a grey area.

The substance is not illegal to possess but cannot be sold without a special licence or to anyone under the age of 18.

Nitrous oxide can induce euphoria and mild hallucinations when inhaled but has a number of associated health risks.

These can include nausea, eye disorders and blood cell damage as well as, in extreme circumstances, death.

A number of fatalities from asphyxia as a result of inhalation have been recorded, predominantly when some sort of bag is used to assist the inhalation process.

Jeremy Clover, county councillor for Upper Gipping, last week called for tighter regulation of the substance to try and prevent it falling into the hands of children.

Anyone with information should call Suffolk police on 01473 613500

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www.suffolk.police.uk