Pubdate: Wed, 24 May 2000
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2000 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053
Fax: (213) 237-4712
Website: http://www.latimes.com/
Forum: http://www.latimes.com/home/discuss/
Author: Deepa Bharath

NITROUS OXIDE ARRESTS NO LAUGHING MATTER

Police Apprehend Five Teens On Suspicion Of Possessing The Anesthetic Gas 
But Say Its Use Locally Are Rare.

YORBA LINDA--Police arrested five teenagers last week on suspicion of 
possessing nitrous oxide. But use of the so-called "laughing gas" is not 
prevalent in Yorba Linda or Brea, officials said Tuesday.

Nitrous oxide is a sweet-smelling gas that when inhaled can cause elation, 
dizziness or intoxication. People who inhale it can experience confusion 
and physical impairment. An overdose even can lead to coma or death.

The incident involving three boys and two girls reported to have happened 
May 18 on Cranberry Lane does not necessarily indicate a trend of nitrous 
oxide use among local teens, said Sgt. Gary Drlik of the Brea Police 
Department, which serves Yorba Linda.

The drugs most commonly found in these communities are marijuana and 
methamphetamine, he said.

But even a stray incident such as this is cause for concern, he added.

"Any time there's any type of activity that affects people in a bad way, 
we're very concerned," Drlik said. Inhaling the gas even may cut oxygen 
supply and lead to a cardiac arrest, he said.

Users usually pump the gas into balloons or buy it in canisters, Drlik said.

Possession of the gas with intention to use it is considered a misdemeanor 
according to the California Penal Code.

No further information was available about the teenagers because they are 
minors. But officials said punishment for such offenses varies, depending 
on the seriousness of the action. Usually, the teenagers are released to 
their parents, said Cpl. Dan Hunter, a patrol officer.

In cases where, for instance, violence is involved, they may be transported 
to juvenile hall, he said.
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