By Ewen McRae
Drug paraphernalia being found on Brimbank streets is fuelling community concern over the use of recreational drugs known as “nangs”.
Nangs is the common name for nitrous oxide canisters. A large pile of empty canisters was found in an Ardoyne Street carpark in Sunshine last week.
Facebook user, Natalie, said: “I’m forever cleaning them up from out the front of the kinder.”
Another Facebook user Jackie said: “… it’s pretty sad I think and I feel very sorry for the people who have to clean up and live close to it it’s just sad all round.”
Brimbank local area commander Dallas Normington said while police were aware of the issue and were working to educate users, they had not noticed an increase in usage.
“We’re not seeing a lot of this, but we are aware that there are people out in the community that are using these canisters,” Inspector Normington said.
“Our real concern is that we’ve got people out there who are prepared to risk their health and safety by using these type of things.
“And I’m not sure they have a real understanding as to the short and long-term impacts this can have on their health … people are placing their lives at risk by using these things.”
Inspector Normington said police regularly confiscated the canisters from potential users, and tried to educate them and get them help.
“It’s about talking to people about the risks of these volatile substances and trying to steer them in a direction that they’ll be able to obtain the support and education they need,” he said.
“We link in with council and other stakeholders, those with the understanding and the resources that can provide people with help on a long-term basis.”
Brimbank council advocacy partnerships and community director Dan Hogan said they worked closely with a number of partners to help reduce the impacts of drugs.
“Drug use is a significant problem that affects individuals, families and communities right across Australia,” he said.
“Brimbank council recognises the importance of a harm minimisation approach to drug use in our community, and works with a number of partners and agencies to reduce the negative impacts of alcohol and other drugs.”
