Red alert: Nitrous oxide consumption among young people in Oranienburg is growing!

Red alert: Nitrous oxide consumption among young people in Oranienburg is growing!

In recent years, a new party drug that has become increasingly popular among young people has caused concern: laughing gas, also known as "exotic whip" or "fast gas." Not only in Berlin, but also in Oranienburg, experts are registering an alarming increase in consumption, especially among minors. Sylvia Bahr from the German Red Cross (DRK) search advisory service reports that even 7th grade students are already experimenting with inhaling the gas. According to maz-online.de, this is a serious problem because social media and a misunderstood sense of party fun are driving consumption fire up.

The euphoric effect of laughing gas, which is described as a rapid onset of relaxation and a feeling of happiness, can still have serious health consequences. Experts like David Steindl from the Charité poison emergency center in Berlin warn urgently about the risks. “The number of inquiries about nitrous oxide poisoning has almost doubled in recent years,” explains Steindl, while at the same time pointing out that the actual health risks, such as motor tics, dizziness or even lifelong neurological damage, often only become apparent after a certain amount of time. This is also confirmed by the BfR, which has classified laughing gas as a “risky party drug”.

Legal measures and education

The federal government has taken steps to combat the growing problem. A draft law banning the purchase and possession of laughing gas by minors has already been passed by the German Bundestag and is now awaiting approval from the Bundesrat. This new law could come into force from April 2026. The city of Oranienburg, on the other hand, currently has no reliable data on the spread of consumption, which makes it difficult to develop suitable measures.

Violations of the planned sales ban, which follows the example of other cities such as Dortmund and Frankfurt, could result in fines of up to 5,000 euros. In order to increase awareness of the dangers, the need to provide young people with comprehensive information is also highlighted, as the dangers of nitrous oxide consumption are far-reaching. Such educational measures are essential to prevent fun with laughing gas from having serious consequences.

Nitrous oxide as a trendy drug

But how did this trend come about? The consumption of nitrous oxide, originally used as an anesthetic and now best known for use in the food industry, has found its way into the party scene. It is filled from small cartridges into balloons and then inhaled, which creates a feeling of euphoria for many, but this only lasts for a short time. According to reports from br.de, this form of consumption not only carries the risk of psychological dependence, but can also lead to dangerous physiological reactions, such as respiratory blockages or frostbite.

To counteract this, young people are required more than ever to understand the risks associated with inhaling nitrous oxide. Promoting a critical approach to drugs, particularly those that are wrongly perceived as harmless, is vitally important so that the next generation can grow up safer.