Discoveries across Deniliquin are pointing to a worrying trend which could be putting lives at risk.
A number of community members have reported finding small discarded cannisters, believed to be what’s known as ‘nangs’.
Nangs usually contain nitrous oxide, which is inhaled via a balloon in order to get ‘high’.
Nitrous oxide is also known as laughing gas, bulbs and whippets.
Aerosols or paint fumes are also inhaled in the same way, for the same effect which is known as ‘chroming’.
A small collection of cannisters were handed in to the Pastoral Times by a concerned citizen, who found them in east Deniliquin at the back entrance to the Deniliquin Regional Park and Deniliquin Golf Course.
Other locals have reported finding the discarded cannisters closer to the CBD, where Edwardes St turns into George St.
The concerns were raised on the back of the death of Melbourne teenager Esra Haynes last month, after inhaling chemicals from a deodorant can.
The substance misuse caused her to go into cardiac arrest and she suffered extensive irreparable brain damage.
Murray River Police District Deniliquin officer in charge Inspector Paul Huggett said nangs and chroming are not a new issue.
But he said the substance misuse was hard to police because the items being used to get high are not illegal.
“My hope is that as a community we can be vigilant,” he said.
“It takes a village to raise a child, as the old saying goes.
“As a community you can act in good faith and report anything that seems unusual in this area and look out for our youth.”
In order to educate the community, the Pastoral Times has researched health resources, reports and other media reports to provide some information.
We also encourage parents and carers to do their own research, and be mindful of any warning signs.
The problem is the unknown. Chroming and nangs have the possibility of sudden death, but there is no telling who will die, when or how.
A recent paper from the UNSW National Drugs and Alcohol Research Centre reported 164 documented deaths associated with inhalant misuse in Australia between 2000 and 2021.
Teenagers were the second-largest age group to die by inhalant misuse, covering 28 per cent of cases.
Chroming and nangs deliver a fleeting high that unknowingly comes with heavy side effects.
Because it is short acting, users underestimate the risks and feel the urge to consume large amounts of the drug in one sitting which can lead to nitrous oxide poisoning.
There are also long and short term effects that sometimes create irreversible medical issues.
• Anyone requiring crisis support can contact Accessline on 1800 800 944, Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14, BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636, Deniliquin Mental Health Drug & Alcohol Service on 58 822700 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800. Resources and support information is also available at www.denimentalhealth.org.au.