A MUM whose daughter tragically died during a night out with pals is on a mission to raise awareness about the dangers of laughing gas.
Amy Louise Leonard, 20, was out with her mates in Bolton when she suddenly became ill and was rushed to hospital.
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The young woman told her mum that she had been taking nitrous oxide before tragically passing away on October 2 surrounded by her loved ones after doctors found a blood clot on her heart and lungs.
According to the victim’s family, cops are investigating her death, Manchester Evening News reported.
The makeup artist’s mum, Catrina says she wants to raise awareness of the drug to help other families avoid a similarly tragic outcome.
She said: “She had been staying at a hotel and was going out with some friends.
“The next thing I spoke to my eldest daughter who said Amy Lou was in hospital.
“I went straight there and it became clear that it was because she had been misusing balloons.
“When I had spoken to her before about how she was feeling, she just said she was low on iron.”
According to Catrina, Amy had struggled with her mental health and experienced spells of dizziness in the weeks preceding her death.
The brave mum spoke to her daughter in hospital and asked why she had taken the drug.
“She said it gave her a buzz,” Catrina continued.
“Young people are using it, and it’s becoming really addictive.
“Last week I saw a lad driving and doing it at the same time. I never knew anything about balloons before this.
“I saw the canisters on the ground, but I didn’t know the dangers of them.
“They freeze your insides and can make you paralysed. Amy couldn’t walk when they took her into hospital.
“She passed away after not being able to move, they found a blood clot to her lungs and her heart.”
“I don’t know how many may have been killed by using this, but it needs to stop.
Nitrous oxide – the facts
NITROUS oxide – also known as laughing gas or hippy crack – was recently made a Class C due to the dangers associated with the drug.
It can cause a range of health issues and in some cases can even be fatal.
Some common side effects from inhaling the gas are dizziness, nausea, disorientation, loss of balance and weakness in legs, according to a study on its risks published to the National Library of Medicine.
Nitrous oxide can impair memory and thinking, the research mentioned. Some users might also feel anxious or paranoid.
According to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF), the gas from nitrous oxide bulbs is intensely cold, sometimes as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius.
Inhaling directly from the canister or crackers – handheld devices used to ‘crack’ open canister – can cause frostbite on the nose, lips and throat, even the vocal cords.
The icy chill of the gas canisters can also cause cold burns to the hands.
Long term, heavy use of laughing gas can cause a lack of vitamin B12. Severe deficiency can lead to serious nerve damage, causing tingling and numbness in the fingers and toes.
Lack of B12 can also cause damage to the spinal cord.
In some cases, frequent and prolonged use of nitrous oxide has been linked to thromboembolic events – this means a blood clot has gotten stuck and caused an obstruction.
The so-called laughing gas has also resulted in deaths.
“I had spoken to her in August asking her if she was OK, and she said she was fine, just low on iron.
“I asked her if that’s why she felt so dizzy and unwell, and she said yes and that she was going to the doctors about how she felt.
“If for one second I knew she was misusing this nitrous oxide balloons, I would have done my absolute best to get her some help. I didn’t know. “
Catrina paid poignant tribute to her daughter, who she beamed would “always brought happiness” to those around her.
She said: “She was absolutely amazing at makeup, she loved it.
“She was bubbly, she enjoyed music and was such an outgoing and bubbly person.
“She would make you feel welcome, she was that type of person.
“Her favourite time of the year is Halloween and Christmas, and would absolutely love being out in the sun.”
“It just doesn’t feel real and we’ve had so many people reaching out, we’ve had a lot of support. We are trying our best.”
“We don’t want sympathy; we want change. These canisters need to be removed from the streets, or there must be stricter laws and enforcement to stop them being so easily accessible.
“What’s currently in place simply isn’t enough.”
You’re Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
