Porsche driver suspected to be high on laughing gas arrested in Killiney: 'Like watching HK police movie'
A driver suspected of being intoxicated with "laughing gas" was arrested at Killiney Road on March 29 afternoon.
Sharing a a photo of the incident, Stomper Anonymous said he was leaving the Orchard MRT station when he saw several police cars in front of the station exit.
"The police were trying to stop this black Porsche and get the tattooed Chinese driver and his female companion out of the car," said the Stomper.
"Both of them were resistant and when the driver got out, he was laughing and quite arrogant. The police took a canister out of the car.
"It was very exciting, like watching a Hong Kong police movie live!"
In response to a Stomp query, the police said they received a call for assistance at about 1.10pm.
"The 37-year-old driver was suspected to be intoxicated with nitrous oxide, colloquially known as laughing gas," said police.
"He was arrested under Section 64 of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010 and is assisting with investigations for rash act."
Section 64 of the Singapore Criminal Procedure Code 2010 outlines the circumstances under which a police officer can arrest someone without a warrant.
No injuries were reported and police investigations are ongoing.
Nitrous oxide is used in the confectionery industry in Singapore and in other countries for creating whipped cream and merengues. Canisters and cartridges of nitrous oxide, called whippets of the gas, are sold online in Singapore.
The last case of nitrous oxide addiction in Singapore was reported in 2017, but medical professionals say there has been an uptick in recent years, according to The Straits Times.
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said it regulates nitrous oxide only when it is used in a specific therapeutic product for treating a medical condition.
"For such uses, the product is required to be registered with HSA to ensure that it meets the quality, safety and efficacy standards before the product can be supplied for use by registered medical practitioners," said HSA.
Medical practitioners said long-term use of nitrous oxide could lead to serious health problems.
Dr Bryan Ng, head and senior consultant with the department of anaesthesia at National University Hospital, told ST: "Long-term nitrous oxide exposure interferes with Vitamin B12 metabolism, which is needed for normal nerve function and the production of red blood cells."
"These chronic abusers may develop numbness or weakness of their limbs or encounter sustained clumsiness."
Dr Kelvin Kuan, senior consultant with the department of emergency medicine at Changi General Hospital and Toxicology Service at SingHealth, said other issues that may occur with laughing gas abuse include frostbite, usually at the mouth or nose, or lung injury.
"In severe cases, abnormal cardiac rhythms and deaths can occur," he added.
