Today the LA Times documents another new addictive substance making the rounds, nitrous oxide. Apparently kids can buy nitrous in little cannisters called "whippets" from any convenience store or even an ice cream truck for as little as 50 cents each. They then go get high between classes. Some have died from what they term sudden sniffing death syndrome. Nitrous is more popular among middle schoolers than marijuana or cocaine and is popular at teen parties. Sounds like the nitrous parties people used to have in the 19th century. The article shows a picture of the products that contain nitrous that kids are sniffing, such as cans of WD 40 and Reddi Wip. I must be getting old but how the hell do you sniff WD 40 or Reddi Wip? Wouldn't you just get oil or whipped cream in your nose? As far as the whippets go, the article says it is used to make whipped cream. First of all, why would a convenience store sell nitrous for making whipped cream. Sounds like it should be sold in a specialty food or kitchen store. And after watching countless hours of the Food Channel, even I know that you don't need nitrous oxide to make whipped cream. All you need to do is beat whipping cream with a beater for about three minutes and voila! you have whipped cream. Where does the nitrous come in?
So now there is legislation in California to prohibit sale of nitrous to anyone under 18 and make it illegal to possess nitrous unless for use in medical procedures. Sounds reasonable except they can't ban the sale of air fresheners and oven cleaners, which is what teens are sniffing to get their high. This again points out the limitations of legislating lifestyle choices. The government can only do so much to change behavior. Ultimately it is up to the child, his parents, the community to set the proper example. As HRC said, it takes a village to raise a child. If the child is not properly supervised and morally confused no amount of legislation can change his behavior.
