The learners and staff at our East London school have partnered with researchers from one of the city’s universities to learn about the dangers of using nitrous oxide, also known as ‘laughing gas’, as a recreational drug.

Leaways School in Hackney hosted an interactive workshop where Devan Mair, a medical student from Queen Mary University of London. He spoke with students about the harm using nitrous oxide, also known as N2O, can cause to the spinal cord.

Leaways is a specialist school and part of Kedleston Group. It supports children and young people with social, emotional and mental health difficulties and autism.

Children and young people from its Key Stage 4 classes and staff from the school were joined by guests for the workshop including PC Adam Warby, the school’s local police liaison officer, and his colleagues from the Metropolitan Police who were also keen to learn more about the campaign.

Nitrous oxide, which is known as laughing gas, or balloons, has become increasingly popular and is second only to cannabis for levels of use by young people. However, many users are unaware that it can potentially lead to spinal injury and nerve damage.

Devan is the lead for a group of students from the university who have launched a campaign called N2O: Know The Risks – aiming to raise awareness of the neurological risks of the drug.

He said: “We want to empower young people with knowledge of the risks of nitrous oxide, so they feel informed if faced with the decision to take balloons. Many people don’t know that it can cause spinal cord damage, which can be irreversible.”

Head teacher at Leaways School, Alan Thomson, said: “While nitrous oxide isn’t currently causing a problem with our students, we think it is important that they’re fully informed and aware of how dangerous it can potentially be, especially as N2O is becoming increasingly popular with young people.

“The assembly was very interesting and the students were very engaged in learning more about the risks it can pose.” 

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