Supplementary written evidence submitted by the
Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
Letter from Professor Les Iversen, Chair, Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, to the Chair of the Committee, 1 October 2015
Re: Home Affairs Select Committee on Psychoactive Substances
Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to attend and provide evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee on psychoactive substances on 15 September 2015. Please find below my response to your subsequent request for further clarification on the harms associated with alkyl nitrites (referred to as “poppers” below) and nitrous oxide, along with the links to the correspondence requested.
Harms associated with poppers [1]
In the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs’ (ACMD’s) report ‘Consideration of the Novel Psychoactive Substances’, the Council concluded that the misuse of poppers was “not seen to be capable of having “harmful effects sufficient to constitute a societal problem.” There have been a small number of deaths from their use. The ACMD is also aware that the use of ‘poppers’ can lead to methaemoglobinaemia in users. Methaemoglobinaemia may cause significant tissue hypoxia, leading to severe, potentially life-threatening clinical features and/or death.”
Harms associated with nitrous oxide [2]
In March 2015 the ACMD concluded that the harmfulness of nitrous oxide does not seem to warrant control under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. “Nitrous oxide is an asphyxiant at high concentrations. At lower concentrations, exposure may cause central nervous system, cardiovascular, hepatic, hematopoietic, and reproductive effects in humans.
It appears to have few, if any, short term adverse effects, other than mild headaches for some individuals. Long term abuse can cause peripheral sensory neuropathies. Long term abuse can also cause vitamin deficiency and related anaemia as a result of the inactivation of Vitamin B12 in the body by the gas.
Deaths linked to nitrous oxide are rare. These have been due to asphyxiation resulting from hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and use in an enclosed space.”
“The use of nitrous oxide in combination with alcohol and/or other psychoactive drugs may increase the potential for harm.”
Correspondence between the ACMD and the Home Secretary
Please also find below links to the letters the Committee requested:
Yours sincerely,
Chair of the ACMD
[1] Annex B of ACMD’s report: Consideration of the Novel Psychoactive Substances (‘Legal Highs’) (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/119139/acmdnps2011.pdf)
[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/acmd-advice-on-nitrous-oxide-abuse