Rialto becomes first city in the U.S. to formally support the Myles Edward Scott Act to address illicit use of nitrous oxide

RIALTO, CA— Rialto is the first city in the country to formally support the Myles Edward Scott Act to address the illicit recreational use of nitrous oxide, after the City Council adopted a resolution Tuesday night in support of the legislation.

The Myles Edward Scott Act, introduced by Congresswoman Norma J. Torres and co-sponsored by Congressman Pete Aguilar is named in honor of Rialto Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott’s son, who was tragically killed in a nitrous-involved car accident just one week after graduating high school in 2014. The driver of a vehicle Myles was riding in lost consciousness after inhaling N2O as a recreational drug.  

“While I can’t bring back Eddie or eliminate the pain my family and I have felt since his death, it is my sincere goal to work as hard as possible to make sure no other family experiences what we have,” Mayor Pro Tem Scott said. “We are so thankful that Congresswoman Torres and Congressman Aguilar had taken such a bold step in bringing this act forward. This is not just a California problem; it’s a national problem.”

Since his son’s death, Scott has advocated for changes and tougher regulations to prevent future tragedies resulting from the illicit distribution or use of N20. In 2017, Rialto became the first city in the nation to pass an ordinance banning the sale or distribution of nitrous oxide in an effort to keep the inhalant out of the hands of young people and teens.

The Myles Edward Scott Act would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to identify what states are currently doing to protect people from the dangers of illicit nitrous oxide use, and what more the federal government can do to add to those efforts.

“Myles Scott’s life was cut tragically short because of a danger hiding in plain sight,” Rep. Torres said. “His father’s efforts to keep nitrous oxide out of reach for young people are helping ensure other families don’t endure the same loss that the Scott family has. The legislation I’m introducing today builds on Mayor Pro Tem Scott’s efforts. It will shine a light on what each state is doing to protect lives, and identify additional ways for the federal government to contribute to this life-saving cause.”

Scott said that while there are productive uses for nitrous oxide – in the food industry, automotive racing and as a dental anesthesia – it can become a deadly weapon when put in the wrong hands.

 “It is gaining in popularity and becoming more widespread everyday,” Scott said. “My goal is not to punish those who misuse nitrous oxide, but to educate them and hold accountable the countless companies and adults who have distributed and sold nitrous oxide to our nation’s children.”