A mother from Southend has welcomed new legislation that makes nitrous oxide a Class C drug, following the death of her teenage son from solvent abuse. Emma Cain, 46, lost her son Jon in 2011 when he was 17 after inhaling butane, which caused a cardiac arrest.
Miss Cain began campaigning after witnessing young people inhaling nitrous oxide at a beach last year, during a memorial for what would have been Jon's 28th birthday. She said she broke down in tears when the ban was announced, stating she is 'over the moon' and hopes lives will be saved.
The new law, which came into effect on Wednesday, makes possession of nitrous oxide a criminal offence. Repeat users face up to two years in prison, while dealers could be jailed for up to 14 years. Crime and policing minister Chris Philp said the law gives police the powers to take a zero-tolerance approach to the drug, which he described as a 'blight on communities'.
Miss Cain said she will continue to warn young people about the dangers of substance abuse, particularly along Southend seafront. She urged anyone addicted to seek help, saying she would personally take them to a doctor.
