FIJ
Recently, a video of young people inhaling gas from inflated balloons went viral on social media. While many wonder what could get people high in balloons, others think it’s simply the chemicals they are made of. It’s not what you think.
Dr Olumuyiwa Ajayeoba, a medical officer at the anaesthesia and intensive care unit of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), told FIJ what is being inhaled: nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas.
While citing peer pressure and youthful exuberance as some of the rationale behind the spike in substance abuse, the doctor told FIJ that he was shocked to discover that nitrous oxide, which is even a scarce commodity for medical professionals, is within the access of ‘ordinary’ Nigerians.
The substance is released from canisters into balloons as shown in one of the videos circulating on Twitter, then inhaled.
FIJ learned that nitrous oxide is an anaesthetic gas used to ease pain in patients during surgical procedures, and also used for anaesthesia in pregnant women during delivery.
Dr Ajeyeoba said that young people are misusing this particular gas because it provides them with a euphoric feeling and helps them temporarily detach from their personal issues.
He, however, said those who use drugs as an escape route from pain and challenges of life often end up incurring more problems for themselves.
“It’s so pathetic that the youths can easily get this gas that we cannot get to buy commercially. It’s so sad that it is not easily available to be used for the right thing.
“They often start inhaling these drugs innocently when they see friends do it, then they get addicted to it,” the doctor said.
The prevalence of substance and drug abuse in Nigeria is no secret, and this raises significant concerns among the populace. A pressing question that troubles many is the reason behind this issue.
In the past few days, different videos of young Nigerians doing drugs have been circulating on social media. On May 29, a Twitter user compiled a thread of videos to raise awareness on the dehumanising effects of substance and drug abuse.
As seen in the videos, most of the affected drug users are young and totally oblivious to their environments. While some exhibit erratic behaviours, others are seen in awkward postures.
