Over 500 used canisters of nitrous oxide - otherwise known as laughing gas or, more recently "hippy crack" - were found during a recent clear-up of Longniddry Bents in East Lothian after a lockdown-flouting beach party.
Nitrous oxide is a colourless gas that, when inhaled, acts as a dissociative (it distorts your perceptions) anaesthetic, giving a short-term feeling of euphoria within a few minutes of inhaling it.
533 containers of nitrous oxide were recovered alongside empty booze bottles after the mass gathering, sparking fears of a craze for the deadly drug in the area.
It follows the discovery of large hauls of canisters at various parks across the Lothians in recent weeks.
The drug can be bought for as little as £1 each and gives users a temporary high.
But users of the gas can also become panicky and confused while the gas can cause hallucinations and be potentially lethal.
Last month Dublin schoolboy Alex Ryan, 15, was found slumped in the street and died in hospital after inhaling the gas.
Chief Inspector Neil Mitchell, local area commander for East Lothian, warned of the trend among youngsters abusing nitrous oxide.
He said: “The risks include it preventing the ability to breathe and, in extreme cases, death.”
However, the gas isn’t currently illegal and can be bought online.
Iain Gray, East Lothian’s Labour MSP, said of the canisters find: “The fact so many were found in one place here suggests this is also a problem locally and one that will undoubtedly be of concern to parents.”
Kenny MacAskill, East Lothian’s SNP MP, said: “There needs to be a well-rounded approach to tackling this latest trend, involving education, support from the police and responsible vendors.”
