TEENAGERS in the centre of Greenock are dicing with death by sniffing potentially deadly gas to ‘get high’.

The extent of the problem became clear after a mountain of empty gas canisters was found dumped next to a public footpath.

Fears about the dangerous activity, commonly known as ‘buzzing’, were brought to light this week by a parent who got in touch with the paper.

The Tele visited the scene and found around 50 empty butane gas cannisters, mixed with beer cans and wine bottles, dumped beside the public stairs between Dempster Street and Wellington Street.

Local drug support worker Andrew Cameron, inset, is calling for tighter regulations on the sale of solvents while Inverclyde Council say they are launching their own probe into the problem.

Andrew, who works at The Haven drug and alcohol rehab centre, visits local schools to educate children on the dangers of drugs.

He said: “Buzzing gas has been an issue, particularly for young people at school.

“It’s always been a step in the progression to harder drug use.

“The way it works is that it gives you a brief high which can damage your lungs.

“The problem is that this stuff can be easily bought in shops.

"I think shop owners should be more aware of who they are selling it too and that tighter restrictions should be put in place.”

Inhaling the gas can make people feel uninhibited, euphoric and dizzy. 

But the effect it has on the heart can cause death – a risk which increases still further when the gas is mixed with alcohol.

People on online forum Freebies Inverclyde, which drew attention to the problem, have posted their concerns.

Joanne Devlin said: “I fear for the kids if they are using this.”

Heather MacBryde wrote: “I would imagine that there is someone buying these things for the kids, either that or the children are being sold them.”

Maggie Low posted: “So sad to see this. Young ones don’t have a clue what they are getting involved in. The poor kids need educated.”

Under Scottish law, individuals can be prosecuted for ‘recklessly’ selling substances to any age group if they suspect that they are going to be inhaled.

When the Tele alerted Inverclyde Council about the issue, officials told us they would visit the location and remove anything that could be hazardous.

A spokesman added: “If wardens spot any young person involved in risky or unsafe behaviour they will always intervene and if necessary contact parents to explain what the issues are. However ultimately it is the responsibility of parents and carers to know where their children are and what they are doing and to warn them against doing anything that could harm them or other people.”