Santa Ana is the latest city in Orange County to ban the sale of nitrous oxide – also known as whippets – for recreational drug use.
[Read: Santa Ana Looks to Ban Whippets]
On Tuesday, city council members voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance barring retailers like liquor stores and smoke shops from selling whippets to people intending to use the gas to get high.
City Councilman David Penaloza, who is running for state assembly, said he’s seen people at street takeovers with balloons and canisters running away from police during a ride along.
“It is obvious that many of these people that we see everyday, every night on the news, taking over our intersections and whatnot. They’re high,” he said during Tuesday’s meeting. “Recklessly putting our community in danger and putting themselves in danger.”
City council members also directed staff to work with local schools to launch an educational campaign to teach people about the dangers of whippets.
“Let’s educate the youth and the parents,” Councilman Ben Vazquez said. “If you see your child with a balloon or a tank, let’s make sure you know what that is.”
City officials are also going to launch public outreach efforts for business owners.
Tuesday’s meeting comes after Orange County Supervisors and Stanton officials voted to adopt similar ordinances banning the sale of nitrous oxide earlier this year.
Penaloza said staff had been looking at this ordinance for a while and that he and his colleagues pushed for this proposal after OC Supervisor Katrina Foley successfully got it adopted for unincorporated Orange County.
“It’s unfortunate that kids use this, and I’m happy that it’s finally before us, and it’s harmful. It has long lasting effects on kids’ bodies,” Penaloza said in a phone call before Tuesday’s meeting.
“When you have 15,16,17-year-olds getting their hands on it, that’s unacceptable.”
Penaloza said code enforcement and police officers would be responsible for enforcing the ordinance.
“We would also rely a lot on the community to be complaint driven, just like we have with any other issue in the city, whether it was flavored tobacco or the underground illegal cannabis dispensary,” he said before the meeting.
Councilman Johnathan Hernandez, who is also running for state assembly, said the ordinance was about protecting local kids and families.
“There are no health benefits to people utilizing nitrous oxide. This is a deadly and dangerous substance that is accessible to people all throughout our city,” he said at Tuesday’s meeting.
Nitrous oxide poses several health risks and prolonged use can lead to nerve damage, blood issues, and mental health problems like psychosis, according to an online article from the Yale School of Medicine.
The ordinance in Santa Ana would include exceptions for the sale of nitrous oxide for the use in cars, food products and medical or dental care.
Violation of the ordinance could result in a misdemeanor.
Hosam Elattar is a Voice of OC reporter and corps member with Report for America, a GroundTruth initiative. Contact him at helattar@voiceofoc.org or on Twitter @ElattarHosam.