There is said to be an increasing concern about the use of Nitrous Oxide, or laughing gas, as a recreational drug in China.
A recent article entitled "Finally I come back to home in a wheel chair" has been read over 100,000 times since its posting.
It recounts a young woman's battle with Nitrous Oxide addition while studying in Seattle in the United States. She tells how it ruined her both physically and scholastically. Driven by stress and curiosity, the young woman tells how she became addicted to 'huffing.' But after using Nitrous Oxide for a year, she began to develop major problems, including muscle weakness and incontinence. She had to quit studying in Seattle and returned back to China in a wheel chair.
A young man from China who was also studying in the US fell into a coma for several weeks after 'huffing' Nitrous Oxide last year.
Nitrous Oxide is not a controlled substance in China. However, its effects can be deadly. Apart from the potential of dying from over exposure to the gas, victims can also suffer from long-term motor control problems, potential strokes and other long-term problems.
Because Nitrous Oxide creates effects with users similar to that of other, illegal drugs, medical experts are strongly recommending adding Nitrous Oxide to the list of illegal drugs in China.
Currently Nitrous Oxide remains available for purchase on the internet.
