'Prohibition doesn't work': UK club community responds to proposed nitrous oxide ban

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  • Boomtown Fair, Corsica Studios and others unpack the government's latest plans to crack down on anti-social behaviour.
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The UK is planning to make possession of nitrous oxide, AKA laughing gas, a crime under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Nitrous oxide is consumed by inhaling a balloon filled with the gas, which comes packaged in small silver canisters that are typically discarded after use. According to the government, the ban will "send a clear message to intimidating gangs" and reduce litter on the streets. But Ester Kincová at Transform Drug Policy Foundation said this "shouldn't be dealt with through our drug laws when there's already legal provisions in place to deal with both [anti-social behaviour and littering]."
 Critics have also slammed the government for ignoring advice on nitrous oxide from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). The group advised a health-led approach, comprising harm reduction, education and better use of existing controls. Nathanael Williams, owner of East London club Colour Factory, told Resident Advisor that he encourages public support of harm-reduction groups like The Loop. While it's "tempting" to welcome the ban, he said it's "contrary to the advice of the ACMD" and will incriminate thousands of young people. 

 "The sooner a sensible risk-assessed conversation around decriminalisation and drug regulation occurs–as it has with alcohol–the fewer risks, health and social problems when consumption happens, which it always will," he added. Alice Hoffmann-Fuller, operations and art director at Corsica Studios, agreed. "It's not a gateway drug, but now it's a gateway offence," she said. She believes a ban will be detrimental to young people, meaning an exponential rise in criminal records,"embroiling them further into criminal networks." 
She added: "We all know that prohibition doesn't work. Venues' main concerns around this 'drug' are more the inconvenience than the danger. This will give more reasons to stop-and-search young people, probably from global majority groups–the ones we should be absolutely supporting right now." As well as being popular with ravers during or after nights out, balloons have become a festival staple in recent years—despite being outlawed at many of them. At Boomtown Fair they've "always been banned," said operations director Judy Bec. "Littered balloons and depleted canisters pose serious risks to the environment and can't be recycled." She added: "Our priority is to keep people safe so we work closely with local authorities to support law enforcement and we will continue this collaboration." Nitrous oxide is used as an analgesic in medicine and dentistry, and for making whipped cream. The government said it's the third most used drug among 16 to 24-year-olds in England. Despite this, some medical experts have condemned the government's decision for not being evidence-based, the British Medical Journal reports. Among the critics is Professor David Nutt, chair of UK independent body Drug Science. He told RA that the decision is "malicious, stupid and politically driven." A health-led approach would be to "open nitrous oxide bars as an alternative to pubs and allow 20 whippits per person for personal legal use." Others likes Dr David Nicholl from Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth University also agree a ban is the wrong move as it will drive a potentially dangerous substance further underground. He warns that prolonged use of nitrous oxide could mean "life-changing neurological injuries." These concerns were echoed by consultant neurologist Dr Nikos Evangelou, who last August tweeted about "an epidemic of nitric oxide-induced spinal cord and nerve damage." But London-based raver Agnese D said there are deeper issues at play if young people are consuming nitrous oxide to the point of risking paralysis. "The problem isn't with the balloons," she told RA, "it's with society and what it's offering them to make them numb themselves to such an extent." The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 already makes it illegal to supply and produce nitrous oxide but not to possess it. If the proposal becomes law, it's unclear whether it will be classified as a class A, B or C drug. Announced last week, the ban forms part of the government's new Anti-Social Behaviour Action Plan, which also targets rough sleepers and empowers landlords to evict tenants faster. We'll report more on this story as it unfolds.
RA