Molly Newman
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Sarah Clark
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision / NonUM
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Oral5
Session: Session 3 – 1:40pm – 2:30 pm
Room: Breakout room 2
Authors: Molly Newman, Sarah Clark
Presenter: 6
Abstract
Nitrous Oxide, or more commonly identified as laughing gas, is a colorless gas commonly used in dentistry and other medical practices as a safe anesthetic. In recent years, nitrous oxide has found popularity among youth and festival goers as it has been identified as a substance that can elicit a quick, extreme high. In this setting, nitrous oxide is no longer safe and when inhaled too quickly or in large amounts causes detrimental effects to the human body. The Whippet Wipeout Coalition’s main goal is to eradicate nitrous oxide use and abuse in the Detroit community by working to educate the general population on the dangers of the drug, work with others to conduct clean up initiatives, and to stop all distribution of methods to partake in whippet use. The WWOC aims to provide a structure for other neighborhoods and communities to conduct their own prevention initiatives by sharing resources developed by the coalition’s workgroups to ensure equitable steps are taken to reduce nitrous oxide abuse within communities in efforts to raise awareness of the public health, safety, and environmental hazards of nitrous oxide. Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision (SDEV’s) partnership with the Whippet Wipeout Campaign hones in on the environmental hazard that nitrous oxide poses to this community and currently takes charge on the safe collection aspect of the WWOC. SDEV is working to establish various safe collection and disposal sites across the Detroit area and in hand, educating the public on the correct methods to do so.
Environmental Studies, Interdisciplinary, Public Health, Social Sciences
