Government pledges to ban sale of laughing gas
Crime / Sun 26th Mar 2023 at 12:10pm
THE sale of laughing gas will be banned under plans to tackle anti-social behaviour, Michael Gove has announced reports the BBC.
The levelling up secretary told the BBC nitrous oxide can have a “damaging effect on young brains” and its public use can lead to “greater lawlessness”.
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) recently advised against new laws to ban nitrous oxide.
Nitrous oxide, sold in metal canisters, is known as NOS and is the second most-used drug by UK 16 to 24-year-olds.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-65079772
Edward Vine
2023-03-26 13:45:47
Unfortunately what everyone seems to be missing here is that crime arises from a number of causes these include poverty, disadvantage, low skills economy, low wages and as far as youngsters being drawn into crime latchkey kids, the massive lack in youth services, clubs, activity centres, sports provision and opportunities in the arts all contribute and effectively make youngsters, the next generation of persistent offenders, more vulnerable to being pushed or drawn into criminal and antisocial behaviours. Schools should be resourced to do far more. The crack down on laughing gas announced by the government this week and endorsed by Labour shadow Lucy Powell is a prime example: Nitrous oxide consumption is a serious problem and contrary to Michael Gove's observation that young people are using small silver cartridges they now use large foot long medical canisters, but the the policing of the measures proposed will place a massive extra burden on the police who, if we look at how ineffective actions have been to tackle other drugs eg cannabis, steroids etc, are overloaded and have made little impact. Far better and far less end cost to the public purse to focus on the social causes of crime, prevention, infrastructure, youth clubs, education and services and facilities that divert youngsters away from crime and anti social behaviour.
Peter Henegan
2023-03-26 20:05:57
Great comments Edward
Edward Huxtable
2023-03-28 10:05:14
I do agree with you to an extent Edward, but nothing can excuse criminal behaviour.
David Forman
2023-03-29 09:50:28
Judges routinely ask for social reports when considering sentences. This entails a social worker examining the family background of perpetrators to identify the root causes of criminal behaviour. It is one of the redeeming qualities of the British criminal justice system. Edward Vine is absolutely correct to say "focus on the social causes of crime, prevention, infrastructure, youth clubs, education and services and facilities." Of course the Tories would have to tax their big business buddies more to finance these preventative measures, hence why they adopt a dismissive attitude to social deprivation they have caused.
4 Comments for Government pledges to ban sale of laughing gas: