HUNDREDS of dangerous laughing gas cannisters were discovered outside a Bolton primary school sparking concerns about the widespread use of the lethal drug in the town.

Empty nitrous oxide cannisters were found thrown on the road, pavements and near to Olive Tree Primary School in Daubhill this week.

The drug has been linked to a number of deaths.

Alan Johnson, an environmental activist, said: “These used canisters were strewn all over the pavements and road, outside the back entrance of the school.

“I spoke to one the school cleaners who informed me and showed me a big cardboard box full of 300 to 500 of these discarded canisters, from front of back school gate she had removed them at 7am.

“While I was there many parents came to pick their children up at the end of the school day, all had to tread through these canisters.

“The school asked if I could do anything about it.”

And after highlighting his concerns to councillors, he found out that it was a “big” problem across the town, with a large number of empty cannisters being left in “several areas”.

Now Bolton Council’s community safety team are working to understand the scale of the problem.

Nitrous oxide, dubbed hippy crack, is usually consumed through balloons and has long been used by thrill-seeking youngsters at festivals, nightclubs and gigs, and has been likened to snorting cocaine as it gives users an intense feeling of euphoria.

It is illegal for the canisters to be sold for recreational purposes, but they can be bought on the dark web. It is legally used to produce whipped cream and sold as cream chargers. 

An email sent to Mr Johnson by council officers stated: “It looks like a big problem across the town” and added that officers on a site walk “noticed large numbers in several areas”.

It adds: “We are going to speak to Community Safety to see if we can get an overview of the problem but will pick up and dispose of any the we find in cleansing operations.”

Mr Johnson, who is standing in this month’s elections, said said empty boxes in which the cannisters were packaged were also thrown on the road in and around Adelaide Street.

“Each box contained 24 cannisters and I have heard from residents that people are driving into the area and taking this so they must be at least 17-years-old,” he said,

“Children shouldn’t have to walk through this. I have read reports that the use of this has led to fatalities.”

Mr Johnson, leader of the Green Party in Bolton, said since being the cannisters were cleared up on Tuesday by the school more have been used and thrown out to the roads.

Since contacting Cllr David Chadwick, executive member for transport and highways, he was told that the cannisters will be cleared and any others that are found as part of the street cleaning programme.

Mr Johnson said he became aware of a problem with people using the gas to get high around two months ago and has seen used cannisters just outside Rumworth Park.

“I have never seen so many as I have in this area, this is the worst,” said Mr Johnson.
Nitrous oxide is said to induce feelings of euphoria, relaxation and calmness fits of giggles and laughter sound distortions and hallucinations.

As of 2016, nitrous oxide is covered by the Psychoactive Substances Act and is illegal to supply for its psychoactive effect.

“There needs to be an investigation into this,” said Mr Johnson, who called for the law to be strengthened.

He added: “The area needs to be cleaned up in the short term but there needs to changes to the law for other substances and people need to be aware of the health implications through education.”

Cllr Nick Peel, executive member of environmental services, said he will speak to the council to raise awareness of the use of the gas.

He wrote:  “I’ll pass this onto street cleansing and request action. However, the problem is likely to reoccur. It seems to be the latest craze in legal highs that I understand is particularly popular with young people. The used canisters tend to be found at the rear of buildings and secluded areas. 

“I will seek the advice of our community safety unit to see if there is anything that can be done publicity wise to warn of the dangers.”