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A new fashion among teenagers is gaining serious momentum. That’s why they warn parents and civil organizations in dozens of complaints addressed to the ombudsman. Paradise gas opium is used at parties, private celebrations, in discos and bars. Its sale is legal and the delivery online is almost lightning fast.
“People are so creative that they’ve come up with all kinds of ways to sell these things,” says Antoine Atanasov of Active Users.
“There is no ban on sale here. Accordingly, there is no ban on not offering it. The effect is short-lived and that’s why they don’t understand the danger,” said Rositsa Dimova, chairperson of the Municipal Council on Narcotic Substances in Burgas.
The minors are supplied with refills of paradise gas with different flavors, and then use a special pump to remove the gas itself from the devices and suck it. Scattered empty packaging can be seen both near schools and around restaurants and discotheques.
“Those who earn the most are the restaurants. A capsule costs pennies. To sell it, it costs tens of BGN. Between BGN 5 and BGN 10. At least on the Black Sea, balloons are currently BGN 10 each,” said Antoine Atanasov.
Nitrous oxide is used in medicine as an anesthetic. However, it is given to the patient mixed with oxygen. Paradise gas, which is sold in the form of ampoules, is, however, in a pure concentrated form.
Its use leads to a lack of oxygen in the body and mainly affects the nervous system. Therefore, its use can lead to irreversible consequences.
Among the side effects are reduced concentration and reduced ability to remember. Especially dangerous is the combination with alcohol and drugs, which can lead to hallucinations and severe psychosis.
“It can also lead to suppression of the breathing center, which leads to death. It actually happens in practice. Unfortunately, the outcome is not always favorable. Even if they recover after a while and inhale oxygen, there are irreversible changes in the brain, which remain for life,” said Prof. Dr. Karolina Lubomirova from the Bulgarian Society of Toxicology.
Among the proposals of the ombudsman Diana Kovacheva are the development of legislative changes to limit the distribution and sale of natural gas, as well as a broad information campaign.
The ombudsman also calls on the CPC to carry out administrative control over the entire internal market. According to experts, serious work is also needed in schools in the form of information campaigns.
“It should be considered from the point of view of regulation. Such substances that have an impact on the nervous system should be under stricter and special regulation,” said Prof. Dr. Karolina Lubomirova.
“Even a country like the Netherlands, which is known for its more liberal attitude towards soft drugs, is even discussing a law to ban it,” said Rositsa Dimova, chairwoman of the Municipal Council on Narcotic Substances in Burgas.
In Ireland, the sale of kerosene to under 18s is criminalised. In 2020, the Danish government is also taking measures.
After a series of incidents, the deputies adopted a package of measures to limit the sale of nitrous oxide to minors.
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