Keighley & Ilkley MP Robbie Moore is calling for a tougher stance on the sale of Nitrous Oxide cannisters, after hundreds of constituents complained about them being discarded.
In particular, the area around Ilkley Riverside has been highlighted.
There is currently no punishment for possession of equipment related to the drug - known as 'Laughing Gas' or 'Nos' - despite its harmful nature. Users often discard empty cannisters on the street or in parks, and residents have been contacting the MP in their hundreds to highlight the risks associated with casual use of the drug as well as the litter problem.
Mr Moore says he's asked the government to tighten up regulations on the sale, supply and production of the drug.
Supply of the drug has been illegal since 2016 due to its psychoactive effect, although it isn’t legally classed as a drug in the same way cannabis, ecstasy or cocaine is. Due to the use of the gas in catering, it is often easy for people to get hold of.
Robbie said: “The laughing gas drug and its impact on our community is becoming too much. Hundreds of constituents I’ve spoken to have said the cannisters are being found far too often and this is not okay when we’re talking about an illegal substance.
“I will be participating in an all party parliamentary group of MPs who are keen to ensure we can eradicate the supply, sale and use of this drug from our streets.”
Ilkley District Councillor Kyle Green added: “The well documented casual use of this drug has been a part of the problem of anti social behaviour seen around the suspension bridge in Ilkley during periods of hot weather. I fully support Robbie Moore in pushing to see this drug targeted as part of wider efforts to help reclaim the Riverside Park areas for Ilkley residents.”
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