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| Laughing gas sold in Leeds through Facebook | Laughing gas sold in Leeds through Facebook |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Party drug nitrous oxide is being sold illegally across Leeds via Facebook, a BBC investigation has found. | Party drug nitrous oxide is being sold illegally across Leeds via Facebook, a BBC investigation has found. |
| The sale of the gas for human consumption has been illegal since May when the Psychoactive Substances Act came into force. | The sale of the gas for human consumption has been illegal since May when the Psychoactive Substances Act came into force. |
| However, the BBC was able to buy several canisters of the drug, known as laughing gas, after contacting a dealer advertising it for sale on Facebook. | However, the BBC was able to buy several canisters of the drug, known as laughing gas, after contacting a dealer advertising it for sale on Facebook. |
| Two men have been arrested as a result of the investigation, police said. | Two men have been arrested as a result of the investigation, police said. |
| Facebook has said it "is looking into the matter". | |
| According to research, nitrous oxide is now ranked the fourth most popular drug in the UK, excluding alcohol, tobacco and caffeinated energy drinks. | According to research, nitrous oxide is now ranked the fourth most popular drug in the UK, excluding alcohol, tobacco and caffeinated energy drinks. |
| One woman told the BBC: "Every time you go out, if you go to a house party, it's always there. | One woman told the BBC: "Every time you go out, if you go to a house party, it's always there. |
| "It probably should [concern me] but it's just become quite normal." | "It probably should [concern me] but it's just become quite normal." |
| Another said: "It's a lot harder now to get it at clubs, but definitely at house parties it's everywhere." | Another said: "It's a lot harder now to get it at clubs, but definitely at house parties it's everywhere." |
| Nitrous oxide | Nitrous oxide |
| Source: Frank | Source: Frank |
| Experts said the use of the drug is potentially fatal. | Experts said the use of the drug is potentially fatal. |
| Dr William Harrop-Griffiths, from the Royal College of Anaesthetists, said: "When you breathe in nitrous oxide it is absorbed really quickly in to the body. | Dr William Harrop-Griffiths, from the Royal College of Anaesthetists, said: "When you breathe in nitrous oxide it is absorbed really quickly in to the body. |
| "It goes straight to the brain and it can cause unconsciousness within 30 to 45 seconds. | "It goes straight to the brain and it can cause unconsciousness within 30 to 45 seconds. |
| "The unconscious human being is at risk and if there are not people around to support their airways, support their breathing, you die as a result of unconsciousness." | "The unconscious human being is at risk and if there are not people around to support their airways, support their breathing, you die as a result of unconsciousness." |
| According to research, there were 17 deaths related to the use of laughing gas in the UK between 2006 and 2012. | According to research, there were 17 deaths related to the use of laughing gas in the UK between 2006 and 2012. |
| Following the BBC investigation, West Yorkshire Police said two men, aged 24 and 20, were arrested on suspicion of possession of nitrous oxide with intent to supply. | Following the BBC investigation, West Yorkshire Police said two men, aged 24 and 20, were arrested on suspicion of possession of nitrous oxide with intent to supply. |
| They were arrested after officers discovered nearly 5,000 canisters and 7,200 balloons at an address in Gipton, Leeds. | They were arrested after officers discovered nearly 5,000 canisters and 7,200 balloons at an address in Gipton, Leeds. |
| Both men were released on police bail pending further inquiries. | |
| For more on the investigation watch BBC Look North (Yorkshire) at 13:30 and 18:30 GMT on 19 January. | For more on the investigation watch BBC Look North (Yorkshire) at 13:30 and 18:30 GMT on 19 January. |