Dozens of used laughing gas canisters used by people to get high have been found dumped in a Scots town.
The discovery was made by a group of litter pickers in the area surrounding Pitreavie Athletics Centre in Dunfermline, Fife.
Among piles of rubbish, the volunteers recovered around 100 silver and purple canisters which had contained the nitrous oxide gas - commonly referred to as ‘ hippy crack ’.
South Dunfermline Community Council shared a shocking picture of the find and said: “These images were shared by Fife Street Champions - tackling litter out and about.
“(They were) taken at Pitreavie Athletics Centre. It’s unbelievable the amount of litter but also worrying about what the kids are doing these days with the canisters.
“Please be aware of what your children are up to.”
The discarded canisters, which can cost as little as 50p, contain the gas which is commonly used to get high by certain individuals.
A recent Global Drug Survey listed it as the fourth most used drug in the UK, behind ecstasy, cocaine and cannabis.
While it may not be as dangerous as some drugs on that list, constant use of laughing gas can cause long-term health problems and even pose a danger to life.
The colourless gas can cause memory loss, severe headaches, disorientation and dissociation but can also lead to the degeneration of the spinal cord.
Heavy, regular use can lead to a deficiency of vitamin B12 and a form of anaemia.
When inhaled in large quantities, it can cause dizziness and make users faint due to a lack of oxygen.
Deaths connected to the gas have been recorded however it is still legal and is commonly used safely in the medical profession by dentists.
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