A MUM whose son’s death was “most likely” related to taking laughing gas has welcomed a Government decision to outlaw the substance.
High-flying student Rory Wai, 18, was found dead in his bedroom in Wivenhoe on the evening of August 6 2019.
An inquest into the Colchester Sixth Form College student’s death heard it was “most likely” related to the use of laughing gas.
The drug, also known as NOS, will be categorised as a Class C drug and made illegal from the end of the year.
Hero - Rory saved the life of a young swimmer at a holiday park in Clacton just weeks before he died (Image: Sally Anderson-Wai)
Unlawful possession of nitrous oxide will carry a sentence of up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine under the new rules.
Those illegally involved in its supply or production could face up to 14 years behind bars.
Rory’s mum Sally Anderson-Wai told the Gazette she welcomed the new legislation four years on from her son’s death, which came nine days before he was due to receive his A-Level results.
The heartbroken mum previously said she hopes Rory’s death acts as a deterrent to youngsters considering inhaling laughing gas.
Heartbreaking - Sally Anderson-Wai said her son was loved by his friends (Image: Sally Anderson-Wai)
Speaking after his inquest in September 2020, Mrs Anderson-Wai said: “Rory’s death has devastated us.
“We hope it might act as a deterrent to young people who might think twice about taking drugs or experimenting with laughing gas.
“People think laughing gas is OK but it’s really not.”
During Rory’s inquest, pathologist Dr Shaobin Wu said a post-mortem examination showed damage to his lungs, while his kidneys had symptoms of acute renal failure.
Academic - Rory performed well at school and achieved impressive A-Level results (Image: Sally Anderson-Wai)
Dr Wu told Essex Coroner’s Court although the cause of death was “unascertained”, it was “most likely” related to drug use.
She listed the use of nitrous oxide as a possible factor in such cases of sudden death, but added: “I cannot give a definite cause of death.”
After the hearing, Mrs Anderson-Wai said Rory had been hardworking and kind.
He had already held down jobs in a chip shop, as a dog walker, a paper delivery boy and a lifeguard, where he saved a young swimmer’s life just weeks before his death.
“He was a very inquisitive boy who would ask a lot of questions and so hard-working,” added his mum.
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