Woman gave serious ‘balloon’ drug warning days before she died
A woman warned people about the dangers of laughing gas just a few days before she died from the drug.
Amy Louise Leonard, 20, shared a video of herself in an ambulance on 29 September, with her telling people she couldn't walk for three weeks because of her nitrous oxide use.
Three days later (2 October), the Bolton woman was dead from a cardiac arrest, with doctors finding a blood clot on her heart and lungs.
In her final social media post she had told people to 'put your balloons down' as she explained exactly what the drug had done to her.
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"I just wanna talk about balloons and what they are doing to your body," she told people on what would end up being her final video.
"They can starve your brain of oxygen, cause dizziness, blackouts, and accidents, lead to long-term nerve damage with repeated use, put serious strain on your heart and lungs.
"It's easy to think it's just a quick buzz, but the risks are very real - and often underestimated and I am now hospitalised as I've not been able to walk for three weeks by doing these.
"All my calves are mashed up, my back has a nervous system what's failing and with this it's made me so depressed I've not been able to move absolutely anywhere and I'm in hospital now getting the help I need so put your balloons down because you’ll only end up like me."
Her mum Catrina Proctor said the family were struggling to come to terms with the loss of Amy but wanted to make sure people knew about her.
They've also set up a GoFundMe, which can be donated to here, to help pay for the 20-year-old's funeral costs.
Catrina wanted to keep passing on her daughter's message about how 'balloons are not harmless' and urged people who wanted to have a good time to stay away from drugs.
She said: "This is not a good way to enjoy yourself - it only offers a three-second high.
"I won't stop raising awareness of this issue, I don't ever want it to go away."
The grieving mum said her daughter was the 'life of the room and would always make people feel welcome'.
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is often taken by being inhaled from balloons which have been filled with the gas from small metal canisters.
It can lead to a few seconds of euphoria but experts have warned that it can result in paralysis, blood clots and in some cases a sudden death.
Nitrous oxide was reclassified as a Class C drug in 2023, so those caught using or supplying it can now face criminal charges.
If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can talk to FRANK. You can call 0300 123 6600, text 82111 or contact through their website 24/7, or livechat from 2pm-6pm any day of the week
Joe Harker