The government intends to outlaw nitrous oxide as part of a crackdown on antisocial behavior.
Michael Gove, secretary for leveling up, made the announcement this morning on Sophy Ridge on Sunday.
Michael Gove, secretary for leveling up, made the announcement this morning on Sophy Ridge on Sunday.
He stated, “Antisocial behavior can destroy lives.”
Mr. Gove confirmed the ban on laughing gas by stating, “I think anyone who has the opportunity to walk through our parks in our major cities has seen these little silver canisters, which are examples of people not only defiling public spaces but also taking a drug that can have a psychological and neurological effect and contributes to antisocial behavior in general.
After cannabis, laughing gas (nitrous oxide) is the second most widely used substance among 16- to 24-year-olds in England.
An investigation revealed an increase in hospitalizations resulting from the use of the party substance.
The Home Office’s review of the substance’s risks did not suggest a ban, but today’s decision does.
In 2021, the Home Office asked the ACMD whether nitrous oxide ownership should be illegal.
The ACMD concluded that the penalties for violations of the act would be disproportionate to the degree of harm associated with the substance and that such regulation could impose “significant burdens” on the substance’s legitimate uses.
“We believe it is imperative that we collectively combat this plague,” Mr. Gove said, adding that ministers made decisions.
The Cabinet minister verified that the ban would be issued under the Misuse of Drugs Act 197. But did not know whether the drug would be classified as A, B, or C.
New drug use must be curtailed to prevent our drugs and public places from becoming drug dens.
These laughing gas canisters are a growing problem that has been reported to me as a member of parliament.
“Hypocrisy” considering Gove’s cocaine use history
After admitting to using cocaine “multiple times,” Mr. Gove’s 2019 Tory leadership bid failed.
Sophy Ridge inquired, “Are you seriously considering giving people a criminal record for a 30-second high from laughing gas?”
Mr. Gove initially evaded the query before responding, “We must combat the scourge [of nitrous oxide].”
“We must uphold the law in this instance,” he added.
When asked again if the plans were hypocritical, given that some MPs, including himself, have been known to use narcotics, he responded, “No… because I’ve learned.”
He continued, “I’ve learned that considering drug use acceptable is a grave error, worse than a grave error.”
Eliminating antisocial conduct
In the run-up to the next general election, antisocial behavior is expected to be a major issue.
New rules require antisocial offenders to make amends within two days of receiving their penalty.
If it is not possible for low-level offenders to clean up the mess they caused – for example, if it has already been cleaned up – they will be given alternative methods to assist their community.
This may involve picking up debris, washing police vehicles, or volunteering in stores.
On Monday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will announce that the program will be piloted in ten locations before being rolled out across England and Wales the following year.
Lucy Powell, Labour’s shadow culture secretary, backed the proposals to ban laughing gas, telling Sophy Ridge, “I think we want to see it banned as well because I believe it causes a great deal of littering, disruption, and antisocial behavior issues.”
She stated that antisocial behavior was “probably the number one issue” raised by her constituents in Manchester.
“They feel that there are no police on the beat to whom they can turn,” she said, adding that, if elected, Labour would add 13,000 neighborhood police officers.
She stated, however, that the government’s overall plan to combat antisocial behavior “amounts to nothing.”
She told Sophy Ridge on Sunday, “Look, we’ve heard it all before from this government, and I think we have to judge them by their record, which shows that community sentencing has decreased by not just a third, but by two-thirds over the past thirteen years.”
Under their supervision, antisocial behavior has worsened, sentencing has plummeted, and crimes are going unpunished.
Therefore, we hear re-boots, re-boots, and more re-boots to garner Sunday media attention, but I believe it amounts to nothing.
