SHOCKED litter pickers found three large canisters of so-called 'laughing gas' dumped on a piece of grass near a city school.
The volunteers found a carrier bag full of three large Smartwhip bottles filled with nitrous oxide on the grass near the flats in Edgeworth Close.
The drug is used, in a medical setting, to control pain and anxiety.
However, N2O, sometimes called hippy crack, whippets or whippits, is also used recreationally - although the Government is set to tighten the rules.
Nitrous oxide can induce euphoria, relaxation and a hallucinogenic state and habitual use can lead to severe neurological damage.
The Warndon litter pick team made the discovery as they filled 11 carrier bags full of rubbish while clearing the perimeter of Oasis Academy and the Hub in Edgeworth Close, Warndon, on Tuesday.
The Platform Housing initiative is designed to tidy up Warndon, encourage people to take pride in their community, protect wildlife and discourage fly-tipping and littering.
The litter pickers have found the smaller, silver containers before but not the larger ones which are the size of a small fire extinguisher.
Medical professionals use a combination of oxygen and nitrous oxide for pregnant women during childbirth as well as during other procedures
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Nitrous oxide, sold in metal canisters, is known as NOS and is one of the most-used drugs by UK 16 to 24-year-olds.
In March it was announced it was set to be banned as part of a government crackdown on anti-social behaviour.
The Platform Housing pick - part of Communities Connected - also found cigarette butts and gin bottles said Paul Edwards, a community engagement officer. Other parks, including Cripplegate Park and parts of Tolladine and Ronkswood, have also been cleared up.
Steve Culy, Oasis Hub council chairman and chairman of the charitable board of trustees, said: "My daughter is a midwife and I knew what it was straight away.
"It's the same stuff - Entononx - but I have never seen anything that size. That is full-on medical Entonox like that issued by the NHS and they were just on the grass there inside a normal shopping bag.
"We don't know if the bottles are still pressurised. We didn't touch it, just reported it."
He said unless regular litter picks took place rubbish could blow into the school grounds or into the community garden which is a haven for wildlife.
Other items found on previous litter picks include plastics and nappies which he said had been picked up by foxes.
Cllr Jill Desayrah who said: "It's really good to see the community working together to improve the almost constant litter problems in Warndon."
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