Latest news with #RachelKelly
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Inside deadly ‘Whippets' epidemic which leaves victims brain damaged and incontinent… as dangerous craze spreads to UK
LURED in with child-like fruity flavours, a dangerous party drug has left a trail of destruction in the US - with fears it could spread to the UK. Known as whippets, canisters of nitrous oxide can legally be bought in shops - and in many states, children are able to buy the poisonous gas. 17 Online clips show US teens inhaling Galaxy Gas at school Credit: Instagram 17 Rachel Kelly, from Chicago, Illinois, was left with brain damage after she inhaled nitrous oxide straight out of the canister every day Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 17 Jordan Micu, from North Carolina, suffered seizures and learned to walk again after she got hooked on laughing gas Credit: Kennedy News 17 Possession of nitrous oxide became a criminal offence in the UK in 2023 Credit: Getty Nitrous oxide - also known as NOS - is most commonly inhaled via a balloon, but youngsters are now buying flavoured whipped cream canisters and inhaling them directly from the nozzle. Rather than 8g metal canisters littering the streets, whopping cans contain as much of 2kg of gas - meaning users can inhale massive quantities. The most notorious brand in the US is Galaxy Gas - which comes in child-friendly flavours such as mango smoothie, blueberry, strawberry cream and vanilla cupcake - similar to the marketing of disposable vapes. It became wildly popular among American teens, peaking last year when it was widely glorified in rap videos and social media clips. Read more world news LUCKY FIND Moment missing journalist is found & rescuers reveal how he survived for 5 days Footage of a user inhaling Galaxy Gas racked up 40million views - and inspired countless copycats. A viral song titled "Whippets" is available to watch on YouTube - showing youngsters bragging about their use of Galaxy Gas and repeatedly inhaling from the huge canisters. Although the canisters are intended for food use, guests have also tried it on the Joe Rogan podcast and Kanye West has spoken about his addiction to the substance. After furious backlash, the brand has withdrawn its products from the market and is now only available from a very limited selection of stores - but others are replacing it. In 2023, the UK government made nitrous oxide a Class C drug - but it's mostly failed to rid the streets of discarded metallic canisters. Balloon-huffing revellers still openly inhale at festivals, parties and in the streets. Laughing gas 'epidemic' sweeping party island with tourists left foaming at mouth, having seizures & permanently scarred In serious cases, users have become heavily addicted to the high and left needing rehab or hospital treatment after racing through as many as 15 canisters per day. But in the US, possession of nitrous oxide is legal - and authorities are struggling to crack down on the deadly craze. Between 2023 and 2024, there was a 58 per cent surge in reports of exposure to nitrous oxide in America according to official data. The number of deaths from nitrous oxide also rose by a staggering 110 per cent from 2019 to 2023. Rachel Kelly, from Chicago, inhaled so much nitrous oxide straight out of the canister every day that parts of her brain died and she was left in a wheelchair. 17 Rachel Kelly forked out $220 every day to inhale eight two-litre tanks of 'whippets' Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 17 Barmaid Rachel was left in a wheelchair from her laughing gas addiction Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 17 Whippets can easily be bought in shops - with authorities struggling to crack down on the craze Credit: FOX29 17 Videos of teens inhaling Galaxy Gas are viewed by millions of children online Credit: Getty She first tried the substance aged 21 and by 2023 the 29-year-old was paying $220 a day to inhale eight two-litre tanks. Rachel said "everyone" was using the drug and it was easy to buy at a local convenience store. But her habit left her in hospital unable to go to the toilet or walk on her own - forcing her to spend a month in a rehabilitation centre. Jordan Micu, 30, from North Carolina, was also left suffering seizures after getting hooked on the canisters as a 21-year-old college student. They're obviously being marketed to appeal for young people and not for its intended use Fiona Spargo-Mabbs In the US, shops often offer deals and colourful canisters can easily be found in smoke shops - despite their intended use for food production. Imyouski, 22, told GQ: "It's like an epidemic, all the young folks are on them. "It's too obtainable, I could literally drive down the street right now and go grab me how many I want." And in the UK, canisters are also widely available to purchase online. A range of brands have emerged with similar whacky flavours and bright marketing available online in the UK. 17 Baking Bad offers four different whacky flavours in vivid colours Credit: Baking Bad 17 Miami Magic also has sweet flavours and graphic marketing - like Galaxy Gas Credit: Miami Magic "Baking Bad" and "Miami Magic", both cream charger brands available online in the UK, have recently released new flavoured ranges. Baking Bad offers candy, strawberry, blueberry mango and watermelon lemon flavoured gas. Miami Magic, meanwhile, boasts rainbow, watermelon, blue raspberry and strawberry guava editions. The fruit combo flavours in particular are similar to many vapes that have hit the market in recent years. Fiona Spargo-Mabbs OBE, founder and director of drugs education charity the DSM foundation, told The Sun: "I googled nitrous oxide in the UK and it came up with a whole load of places you can buy it. "These social media trends or videos that go viral and are seen by loads of people. "It's a concern, it's always a concern. They're being marketed with cartoon characters, GTA imaging on the outside of canisters. "They're obviously being marketed to appeal for young people and not for its intended use." I think young people just see it as a bit of fun at first but then use it for self-medication for depression and anxiety Dan Gibbons Fiona, a member of the government's advisory council on the misuse of drugs, added: "Things that come from the states and social media, there can be so many influences in terms of the decisions young people make. "The exposure that young people have to drugs on social media is something I am concerned about." Dan Gibbons, from UK-based solvent abuse charity Re-Solv, told The Sun: "Galaxy Gas has not come across our radar as much in the UK but you can get it here. "I think young people just see it as a bit of fun at first but then use it for self-medication for depression and anxiety." 17 Meg Caldwell died in her car after getting hook on laughing gas Credit: NEWS 6 17 Canisters are widely available in smoke shops in America - making it easily accessible Credit: FOX29 17 Galaxy Gas has become a popular method to inhale nitrous oxide in the US Credit: Instagram 17 Galaxy Gas is sold in child-friendly flavours like Mango Smoothie He said he wouldn't be surprised if the huge canisters start to make an appearance at British festivals after being heavily promoted online in the US. Dan says Re-Solve has even seen an increase in referrals for laughing gas addiction since the government ban was imposed. Dr Gail Saltz told us: "There are teens who have suffered permanent neurological loss as a result of this behaviour. "And it certainly can kill you." The doctor explained that inhaling the gas can lead to a range of very serious medical problems - and even death in the most severe cases. She explained: "When you inhale high pressure nitrous oxide, you are not getting any oxygen to the brain - so that's oxygen depravation. "And that can cause a heart attack, a stroke, injury to the brain. "More persistent use can lead to other issues such as B12 deficiency, anaemia, and other neurological problems." Meg Caldwell, a horse rider from Florida, started using nitrous oxide recreationally while at university. But her usage got heavier to the point it "started ruining her life". After an overdose, Meg, 29, temporarily lost use of her legs and was left incontinent, but carried on spending hundreds of dollars a day on the gas. She died in November last year in a car park outside a vape shop. Her sister Leigh Caldwell told Boston 25: "She would spend $300, $400 at a smoke shop in a day. "Her whole life had become derailed due to her addiction to this drug." Another sister, Kathleen Dial, told the BBC: "She didn't think that it would hurt her because she was buying it in the smoke shop, so she thought she was using this substance legally." Meg's family has now filed a lawsuit against the manufacturers of nitrous oxide and seven Florida smoke shops to stop retail sales of the drug. Galaxy Gas is named in the lawsuit. Drug addiction counsellor Kim Castro said that she's had four clients who have died from nitrous oxide poisoning. She told Boston 25: "You really don't know when you'll stop breathing, when you'll lose consciousness, when your body will stop functioning. It's pretty scary." In March, the FDA released a warning advising consumers not to inhale nitrous oxide products, including Galaxy Gas and other brands. 17 Discarded canisters of nitrous oxide piled up at Glastonbury festival at Worthy Farm Credit: AFP 17 In the UK, nitrous oxide is commonly used by inhaling balloons filled with small metal cartridges 17 Recreational nitrous oxide has been banned in the UK Credit: Instagram Dr Saltz said that sucking laughing gas to get high is not a new phenomenon, but there's been a surge in the past three to five years thanks to a "new twist" in the market. She said: "The new addition in recent years is flavours, which has made it more appealing to younger and younger people. "It seems like it's being literally marketed to this group of people. It makes it seem not dangerous and more innocuous." The doc agrees that social media has supercharged the spread of the drug amongst youngsters - allowing it to be glorified, but also popularising "challenges" involving the gas. She also warned of the danger of "copycat companies" who have "caught onto the fact that young people will buy this and use it for abuse". The doctor insisted there are some obvious ways to fight back against the gas falling into teens' hands. She said: "Selling to underage individuals is something that is frequently abused - and that of course shouldn't be happening. "We should be putting more warnings on the packaging so that the adult who is buying it is warned - because they may not realise what their teen is actually asking for. "And I wish that the companies would not be able to market to young people. "Once you've identified something as used for abuse, governments should have the ability to say to a company: 'This is what you can do, this is what you can't do.' For the greater societal good." Dr Saltz also explained that laughing gas is "easier to hide than abuse of many other things". She said: "It has no smell, it seems innocuous because it can be used for food preparation. It's not expensive, and the high is short."
Metro
14-06-2025
- General
- Metro
I thought I'd nailed screen time until my kids admitted the truth
It's hard to admit to making mistakes as a mum (Picture: Getty Images) 'Having a computer in our basement was crack cocaine.' It was sobering to hear this from one of my sons, now in his twenties, last week. We'd been talking about online harm, prompted by the Netflix series Adolescence. I had been quietly relieved that none of my five children had laptops in their rooms, unlike Jamie, the show's protagonist, who goes to some dark places online in the privacy of his private space. That's when my son informed me: 'Just because our computer was on view didn't make any difference as far as we were concerned.' It was a shock, and not a very pleasant one. It's hard to admit to making mistakes as a mum, especially if, like me, you give advice to other parents, teachers and caregivers about how to raise resilient teens. However hard we parents try to control our children's online use, raising adolescents in the age of screens is littered with challenges, and I've clearly not got everything right. Smartphones weren't such an issue with my older children, born in 1995 and 1997. iPads were becoming popular when the twins were six (Picture: Getty Images) However, my younger children, born 1999, and twins five years later, are digital natives. iPads were becoming popular when the twins were six. They were drawn to the fun games and unlike the TV shows that ended when I turned them off, the challenge was the 24-hour availability. By 2012, my 12-year-old wanted a smartphone. I said no. I had realised relatively early on that social media could harm adolescents. One of our boys, then 15, had posted a picture on Facebook. The comments suggested he looked 'weird' and he took it to heart. I felt desperate at seeing him so miserable. On another occasion, our daughter was distraught to learn via social media she hadn't been invited to an event. Another son was devastated he had been left out of a WhatsApp group. My other daughter felt she didn't match up to skinny girl ideals on Instagram. I realised that, as a family, we needed some rules. My first rule was for all of us: No screens in bedrooms (Picture: Rachel Kelly) It would be impossible to ban phones altogether: They were crucial for the children to stay in touch with friends. I also knew banning phones would make them more desirable. So my first rule was for all of us: No screens in bedrooms. Phones were to be left downstairs. Then – at least in theory – I could see what they were watching. Second, we delayed buying the younger two smartphones until they turned 14. Instead, they had Nokia bricks that let them stay in touch without connecting to the internet. But of course, that was a temporary fix. Soon enough the twins turned 14 and I stayed true to my word. By this stage, however, we had been having the conversation about online risks for several years. So rather than limit their credit, ban social media or figure out parental controls (all of which they could get around if they wanted to), I decided to appeal to their good sense, critical faculties and their desire for autonomy – a crucial factor happening to the teenage brain. The family PC was my blind spot Quote Quote Therefore, my final rule was phone and iPad free zones – at mealtimes, family time, evenings and bedtimes. When it came to the family computer, however, I was more relaxed. I associated it with hard work and homework. My focus was on the dangers of social media on smartphones and I had done well on that. The family PC was my blind spot. My son also told me that while he and his brothers were using the computers for gaming, one was gaming for several hours a day. In the end, supported by his siblings, he stopped completely – something I only learnt about years later when we talked openly about his experience. All my children have since told me they appreciated phone-free time – and wished I had been firmer in enforcing it. I think I was frightened to do so; sometimes I thought I would be more likeable if I let my teenagers do what they wanted. Looking for more info on raising adolescents? Rachel Kelly's book, The Gift of Teenagers: Connect More, Worry Less is available now. The more we talked, the more my children began to regulate their own social media use (Picture: Rachel Kelly) There is no escaping the fact that your teenager needs technology to run their life, and there's nothing wrong with that. In my experience, the issue is not 'who' as much as 'what' teenagers are exposed to. And the way to stop them seeing harmful and violent content is to talk about it. How did social media make them feel? Answer: Bad. How many hours a day were they online? How many other things did they miss out on as a result? Sport, meeting up in real life, getting some sleep? My kids agreed they were missing out. In fact, they were relieved to discuss this stuff. I could make it clear that I was their parent, I loved them, and I didn't want them to see things online which would upset them. The more we talked, the more they began to regulate their own social media use. Does that mean I think limiting screen time is pointless? Absolutely not. The key is to find a balance that works for both parties, together. Do not take your children's phone use as a rejection of you personally – just give them all the tools and guidance to make sure they do it safely and securely and let them know that you are doing so because you love them. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. 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The National
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Syrian gratitude for global support in a challenging time
The situation in Gaza requires urgent intervention I write in reference to Nada AlTaher's article Israeli civilians try to stop aid lorries from entering Gaza (May 21): by killing women, children and elders, the situation in Gaza is further worsening, and those involved in these atrocities are losing support and sympathy from their partners around the world. From a humanitarian perspective, it is especially worrying when supplies are being prevented from entering the conflict zone. Such attempts are a shame for all human beings around the world. It is certain that this conflict cannot resolve the root cause of the Palestine-Israel issue. And so, while the world community has so far been unable to resolve it peacefully, the UN and the US, together with the Arab world, must continue to find ways in doing so. Ramachandran Nair, Kerala, India Sanctions relief for Syrians I write in reference to Khaled Yacoub Oweis's report EU set to lift sanctions on Syria's central bank (May 20): we really appreciate the European Union and the efforts of the rest of the international community. Gratitude from Syria. Rima Alhabash, Damascus, Syria Agritech's future in the East I write in reference to Rachel Kelly's article China-UAE AgriTech Dh120 million megaproject to launch in Al Ain (May 19): this is an exciting move in agritech. This Al Ain hub boosts food security and highlights UAE-China synergy in agriculture innovation. It's a huge step towards a sustainable future. Ahmed P, Cairo, Egypt Tackling chronic disease in Abu Dhabi I write in reference to Shireena Al Nowais's article Abu Dhabi launches campaign to cover costs of chronic disease care (May 19): it is outstanding to see Abu Dhabi champion health care for all. Such forward-thinking support for chronic illness uplifts citizens and expatriates alike. It's a proud moment for the UAE community. Wassim A, Sharjah Beirut's cultural recovery I write in reference to Robert McKelvey's article Beihouse: Upscale community hub rises from the ashes of the Beirut Port explosion (May 16): how nice it is to see the way Beihouse is reviving the cultural pulse of Beirut's Gemmayzeh neighbourhood. This is heritage and innovation in dialogue, and truly speaks to the city's memory. BC, Granada, Spain Dubai a global educational hub I write in reference to the article Number of university students in Dubai surges by 20% (May 19): over the years, Dubai has evolved into a prominent educational hub, home to several globally recognised universities. This growth highlights the emirate's impressive standing in the international arena. Today, it offers vast opportunities for international students across all academic fields, making it a truly global destination for higher education. All of this progress is a result of the forward-thinking policies aimed at not only advancing the lives of Emiratis but also welcoming students from around the world. Kudos to Dubai for its commitment to education, diversity and global excellence. K Ragavan, Bengaluru, Indi a
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
I've got DEAD zones in my brain and can't feel my feet after mistaking my £160-a-day laughing gas high for harmless fun
RACHEL Kelly was forced to relearn how to walk after her £160-a-day nitrous oxide habit killed off parts of her brain and numbed her limbs. The 29-year-old first tried laughing gas when she was just 21, while working at a bar in Michigan, US, in 2018. 11 11 11 By 2023, Rachel says she was forking out $220 every day -about £160 - to inhale eight two-litre tanks of the chemical compound. Shocking photos show her breathing in the gas straight from a tank, which she claims was easy to buy from nearby convenience stores. Her feet and right hand went numb during a bar shift in April 2024 so she visited the ER - but she was discharged after being told she had muscle spasms. She admits she bought another tank of laughing gas the same day but was encouraged by a friend to return to hospital two days later and come clean about her nitrous oxide use. Rachel was admitted to hospital right away and within just a few days she lost the ability to walk as her nerves "died" and her body "shut down'. Following months of occupational and physical therapy and B12 injections, Rachel, who is now a receptionist, was able to turn her life around. It has been more than a year since she last inhaled nitrous oxide and is sharing her story to warn others about its dangers. Rachel, from Chicago, Illinois, said: "I was first introduced to nitrous oxide in 2018 at an EDM show. "I was bartending in a bar right next to a venue and it was very big. "I was 21 at the time, The high lasted a really short time and it just made me feel out of it. "In 2022, I started working at the bar again and everyone had started to take nitrous oxide through these tanks. "A lot of people take it out of the balloons as a safety method so you don't get frostbite but I was just hitting it straight out the nozzle. "The biggest part for me is that the nitrous oxide was so accessible to me. "[In 2023], I was using about eight of the two-litre tanks a day so I think I averaged spending around $220 a day on them, sometimes more. 11 11 "[At a shift in April 2024], my hips felt really tight. People thought I was drunk and I seemed intoxicated as the nitrous oxide was poisoning my brain. "My feet and right hand were completely numb and it felt like my hips were broken and I could barely walk." In the US, possession of nitrous oxide is legal but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has outlawed its distribution for purposes of human consumption. But in the UK, possessing laughing gas is now illegal - with repeat users facing up to two years in prison. After 10 days in hospital, Rachel was transferred to a rehabilitation centre where she spent a month undergoing occupational and physical therapy 30 hours a week for a month. During these sessions, she says she had to learn to walk and write again, as well as teach herself how to brush her teeth. Rachel was then discharged to her parents' house, where she spent the next five months in continual therapy and had to use a walker. Rachel said: "I lost the ability to function in the hospital. I couldn't hold my phone and I couldn't go to the bathroom and had to catheterise myself. 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. "All the nerves in my body that you don't think about [weren't working]. I couldn't go to the toilet on my own. "The nitrous that they're selling you is not cut with oxygen so it stops your body from producing B12 which is a vitamin which helps protect the myelination of your spine and nerves. "All of mine had died and my body was just shutting down. "My nerves were firing on and off as they were dying so it felt like muscle spasms. "For the first couple of days, I just watched my body lose all function. I then woke up the next day and couldn't walk." More than a year on, Rachel still has to take oral B12 medication and can't feel some of her toes. She plans to become a drugs support worker in future and is urging others to not inhale nitrous oxide as "the 30-second high is not worth it". Rachel said: "I now have a bunch of dead zones in my brain and these don't come back. It's like rat poison. "Since coming out [of hospital] I haven't touched nitrous oxide again and I wouldn't do now. "Just because something is sold in a store, doesn't mean it is safe to use. They will sell it to you until you can't pee on your own. "The end stage of this is you will end up in the hospital and it's just a [matter of] when this will happen to you and when you will wake up and not be able to feel anything." 11
Times
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Boris Johnson questions teenage angst — over a strong cup of tea
Children, as Socrates may have said, are tyrants. Rachel Kelly takes a more sympathetic look at the misunderstood generation in her new book The Gift of Teenagers. But at the launch party, one parenting expert (and particular fan of the ancient Greeks) shared a dissenting view. 'I cannot commend Rachel highly enough but I do think that her thesis, that teenagers are down in the dumps and having a hard time, is one that needs examination,' said Boris Johnson. He should know, after all, several of his children are already through their teenage years. 'In my experience, they're all having a thoroughly good time, and what they need is a swift kick in the pants.' Meanwhile, the ex-PM will doubtless be celebrating International Tea
