By Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet
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.”
Meg’s dependency was all-consuming. Family members estimate she spent up to $400 a day on nitrous oxide, sometimes vaping what she had just purchased in the parking lot before going back inside for more. Despite attempts at rehabilitation, her struggle spiraled out of control. On November 24, 2024, Meg was found alone in her car near an Orlando smoke shop.
Her family’s pain has since fueled their fight. Earlier this year, they filed a class-action lawsuit in Orange County, not seeking money but accountability. “This suit is about stopping the way nitrous oxide is marketed and sold,” Kathleen said. “We don’t want another family to go through what we did.”
After Kathleen’s story, the operation moved forward. Teams of officers and agents inspected six Clermont smoke shops, sending in underage investigative assets to test whether businesses would sell age-restricted products. Two shops did. In total, the operation seized nearly 300 vape devices and more than 650 packages of Kratom and 7-OH products, substances now classified as dangerous and illegal to sell.
“This joint operation demonstrates our commitment to protecting our community’s youth,” said Clermont Police Chief John Graczyk. “We are dedicated to ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of our residents.”
For Kathleen, sharing Meg’s story was painful, but necessary. It gave heart and meaning to the enforcement sweep. “Meg was more than her addiction,” she said. “She was my sister. She was loved. If telling her story saves even one life, then her death won’t have been in vain.”
For resources on substance abuse and recovery, visit www.FloridaHealth.gov or call 850-245-4444. To report smoke shop violations or suspicious activity, contact the Clermont Police Department at 352-394-5588.
