At the Clermont Police Department on Thursday, September 25, a group of officers, agents, and investigators gathered for a planned enforcement operation. But before the day began, they paused to listen to the voice of a grieving sister.
Kathleen Dial stood before the room, holding back emotion as she shared the story of her younger sister, Margaret “Meg” Caldwell. Only 29 years old, Meg lost her life in November 2024 after years of dependency on nitrous oxide purchased from local smoke shops.
What began as a habit grew into a devastating addiction. Known on the street as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide can deplete the body of vitamin B-12, leading to neurological damage and paralysis. In Meg’s case, it stole her health, her independence, and ultimately, her life.
“She could walk into almost any smoke shop and buy it—no questions asked,” Kathleen told the group. “We begged the shops not to sell to her, but they said, ‘She’s of legal age. We’re selling legal things.’ We felt totally helpless.”…