In our society, we sometimes have a tendency to assume that a product is at least somewhat safe if it is freely available for purchase. After all, we have the Food and Drug Administration, state-level food and product safety agencies, online reviews, and a myriad of other safeguards to help highlight harmful products.
Yet, that is unfortunately not always the case. Over the course of ALCAP’s work to stop the spread of destructive behaviors in Alabama, there have been numerous substances that can sometimes “slip under the radar” before the authorities realize how destructive they are.
This can come in multiple different forms -especially at convenience stores. We have seen this with synthetic marijuana, opiate substitutes, and psychedelic substances as well. All of these things have been available at one point or another, and were even freely available at some stores.
Yet the work continues. One of the most notable and recent examples of this is when the Alabama Legislature outlawed the use of nitrous oxide for recreational purposes. Although nitrous oxide does have legitimate legal uses, such as in whipped cream production, it has recently been widely abused. This has been largely brought about by the introduction flavored forms of nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as “Galaxy Gas.” When abused through inhalation, this substance is highly addictive and can lead to intoxication, asphyxiation, and serious bodily harm.
Thanks to the leadership of State Senator April Weaver in the 2025 Legislative Session, these recreational uses have been prohibited in Alabama through Senate Bill 78. This is especially important to help protect young people and promote awareness about the dangers of abusing nitrous oxide.
It is so critically important for parents, pastors, and community leaders to be aware of the dangers of substances that can easily end up right on the store shelves. ALCAP applauds the efforts of the State Legislature to rein in these dangerous and unregulated substances.