Oxford City Limits Sale and Possession of Nitrous Oxide for Intoxication

The Oxford City Council has enacted a new ordinance regulating nitrous oxide products, commonly known as “whippets” or “chargers,” to combat their misuse as recreational drugs. The measure focuses on protecting residents under age 21 from the health risks associated with inhaling the gas for a brief high.

Nitrous oxide has legitimate uses in medicine, food preparation, and industrial applications. However, authorities say the increasing recreational use—where individuals inhale the gas from balloons—poses serious health dangers. Misuse can deprive the brain of oxygen, leading to impaired judgment, neurological damage, loss of consciousness, or death, according to the city.

Community leaders cite recent incidents where inhalant misuse contributed to crashes, injuries, and emergency responses affecting not only users but also innocent bystanders. The city emphasizes that these incidents are preventable and often stem from easy access to the products in non-food retail settings. The new ordinance aims to limit access in places where misuse is most likely to occur.

Officials clarified that the ordinance does not ban legitimate uses of nitrous oxide. Restaurants, medical providers, and industrial users will continue to use the product lawfully. The focus is on reducing misuse among youth and preventing health risks associated with non-legitimate sales. The city plans to visit local businesses to educate them about the new rules and ensure compliance.

Oxford’s police department attached a copy of the notice being distributed to businesses and the full ordinance as part of its community safety efforts. The city encourages residents to support these measures to protect public health and safety.

Source: Original Article