Abuse
of laughing gas can lead to brain damage
A
public schoolboy died after inhaling laughing gas with his friends, his
devastated sister has revealed. Promising art student Joseph Benett, 17,
suffered a cardiac arrest after taking the popular party drug on August 31. The
teenager, from Hampstead, north London, fell into a coma but died last Thursday
with his family at his bedside.
His
grieving sister Camille, 27, told the Ham&High newspaper: "He just
never woke up. He had such terrible brain damage and his fits were getting
worse. When he stopped breathing, my dad and I were holding his hand." She
added: "I found it hard to leave him. As a big sister I felt a
responsibility to look after my little brother." Sixth-former Joseph, who
attended University College School (UCS) in Hampstead, was at a friend's house
in Hertfordshire when he collapsed.
The
sale of nitrous oxide for recreational use is against the law, but the gas is
becoming increasingly popular on the party scene. A number of celebrities have
been pictured inhaling the drug - nicknamed hippy crack - which can starve the
brain of oxygen.
Joseph's
sister added: "I think having experienced how much this hurts, people
should think about whether they are putting themselves in danger. You do need
to think about what you are doing, not just for yourself but for the sake of
the people who love you."
msn.com
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