A teenage girl from Perth is facing the possibility of never being able to walk again. Nineteen-year-old Molly Day revealed that her addiction to laughing gas canisters, commonly known as “nangs,” has reached a point where she now requires assistance for basic activities. This includes eating, walking, and showering. 
Molly’s addiction escalated rapidly, with a daily consumption of two liters of gas. “I became addicted quickly and couldn’t control the craving. Once I had finished one, I wanted more and more,” she explained. “Two weeks ago, I was a healthy young person capable of walking and taking care of myself. Now, I am completely dependent. I have lost my ability to walk and have no control over anything. It’s incredibly dangerous.” The Western Australian government implemented new laws last year in response to this issue. These laws aimed to restrict the sale of laughing gas canisters. However, Molly’s mother, Nicky Day, believes more action is needed. Nicky found over 30 three-liter canisters in her daughter’s room before Molly was hospitalized.
“The government needs to wake up and act. It’s completely unacceptable. It shouldn’t be possible for a 16-year-old to easily obtain these substances,” she asserted. Although nitrous oxide, commonly known as nangs, is often considered a “safe” drug, experts from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at UNSW Sydney argue that this belief is far from accurate, as its long-term use can cause brain and nerve damage. Alarmingly, the number of Australians using nangs, especially at disguised parties, is on the rise. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reported in its National Drug Strategy Household Survey that the prevalence of inhalant use, including nitrous oxide, increased from 0.4% in 2001 to 1.7% in 2019. 
Furthermore, a recent study published by the National Institutes of Health revealed a significant increase in cases related to nitrous oxide use in New South Wales emergency services. The number of these cases rose from fewer than 10 in 2012 to over 60 in 2018. Dr. Rachel Sutherland, deputy director of the drug trends program at NDARC, highlighted that misconceptions about drugs could contribute to their growing popularity. 
She said, “Pinpointing the precise reasons for the increase in use or popularity of a particular drug is always difficult. However, this could potentially be related to perceptions of safety.” Dr. Sutherland emphasized that nitrous oxide is easily accessible, as it can be readily purchased at convenience stores or online, and its affordable price contributes to its availability.
This young girl may never walk again after becoming addicted to laughing gas canisters: Watch the video