Police Bust 12 for Nitrous Oxide

From KYpost.com in Kentucky

This weekend Cincinnati Police arrested 12 individuals on separate charges of possession, trafficking, and use of nitrous oxide gas. All 12 arrests stemmed from a two-day musical performance of the rock band Phish- held in Cincinnati’s U.S. Bank Arena. Police reports reveal that of those arrested, none were from the Cincinnati area. All are expected to appear in court this week.

Arrests included that of a 37-year-old male from New York and a 39-year-old male from Philadelphia who were detained for allegedly selling three nitrous filled balloons to an undercover police officer for $20. Both men are charged with trafficking a harmful intoxicant. Officers also arrested a 32-year-old male from Indianapolis inside the venue’s parking garage after witnessing him inhale from a nitrous balloon and attempt to flee. When police ordered him to hand over the balloon without letting go, he failed to obey orders; releasing two balloons into the air and destroying substantial evidence.

Driver Admits to Using Duster

From The Rapid City Journal in South Dakota

A 24-year-old driver responsible for hitting two vehicles in a collision last August has admitted to inhaling computer duster while driving. The 24-year-old male reportedly crashed into two cars before slamming his vehicle into a tree; injuring his female passenger. Yesterday in court, the driver pled guilty to charges of driving under the influence and fleeing from an accident. In exchange for a guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to drop the additional three felony charges and four misdemeanor charges filed in connection with the accident. The 24-year-old is expected back in court on December 14th for sentencing. He faces a maximum sentence of two years in jail for each charge.

Police Suspect 'Huffing' in Explosion

From PennLive.com in Pennsylvania

Last week an 18-year-old man was seriously injured after his vehicle exploded in the parking lot of a retail store early Monday morning. Police are investigating as to whether or not the young man was ‘huffing’ prior to the explosion. In his statement to police, the teen claimed “he had filled the car with gasoline and pulled into a nearby parking lot to light a cigarette when his car caught fire.”

Despite invoking a powerful explosion that “blew out the car’s windshield and bent out the frames to the four side windows” no damage was done to the store, the parking lot, or any other surrounding vehicles. The teen is currently being treated at an area burn center where doctors are assessing his injuries.

Police have impounded the teen’s car to further examine the cause of explosion, and are working alongside local firefighters to collect any evidence that may attribute the incident to ‘huffing.’

Two 'Huffing' Offenses in Two Weeks

From The Citizen of Morris County in New Jersey

A 48-year-old man has been arrested for 'huffing' for the second time in just two weeks. Officers discovered the suspect behind a local business “inhaling toxic chemicals from a spray can of household product,” not far from where he was arrested for a similar offense on October 28th. Police were called to the area after receiving notification of a “man lying on the sidewalk” near a busy highway. The suspect was arrested and charged with the “inhalation of toxic chemical fumes” for the second time in two weeks.

College Student Causes Wreck

From GoBlueRidge.net in North Carolina

A three-vehicle wreck in Boone County last weekend is being attributed to ‘huffing’ behind the wheel. Accident reports reveal that a 21-year-old Appalachian State student is responsible for crossing the median and striking two vehicles traveling in the opposite direction. Witnesses disclosed to police that they had seen the 21-year-old driver with “a can of aerosol held up to his mouth, appearing dazed” moments before the collision. Authorities have also concluded that speed played a significant factor and estimate that the 21-year-old was traveling upwards of 50 mph in a 35mph zone. Police have charged the driver with “driving while impaired, reckless driving, speeding, inhaling toxic fumes, and possessing drug paraphernalia.” All involved were transported to a nearby hospital, but no word has been released as to the extent of their injuries.

NBC's Today Airs 'Huffing' Investigation

This morning the Today Show (a popular news program on NBC) aired a special investigative report profiling the deadly trend of 'huffing' among our nation's teens and tweens. The segment, which featured footage shot by hidden camera, followed two young boys as they visited various stores and attempted to purchase commonly abused products; such as paint thinner and computer duster. The segment also featured an in-depth interview with ACE Board of Trustee member Jeff Williams and his wife Kathy; who lost their son Kyle to inhalant abuse four years ago. The complete broadcast can be viewed below or by clicking here.

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Trespasser Found Inhaling Fumes

From PublicOpinionOnline.com in Pennsylvania

Police were called to a local residence after receiving reports that an unwanted person was trespassing on the property. When officers arrived on the scene they discovered the alleged trespasser “inhaling fumes from a can of dust remover.” The trespasser was identified as a 23-year-old male of “no fixed address.” Officers arrested the suspect and charged him with the illegal use of inhalants.

Death By Duster

From The Sioux City Journal in Iowa

A mother who lost her 27-year-old son to inhalants earlier this year is speaking out and sharing her heartbreaking story with the community of Sioux City, with the hope of raising awareness about inhalant abuse.

The body of 27-year-old Daniel Boone was discovered in a wooded area on September 15, 2009 near his mother’s residence. Sioux City Police have attributed Boone’s death to ‘ingestion of a toxic amount of inhalant.’

Boone was exposed to inhalants while working in California where his mother says he began “huffing nitrous oxide from cartridges.” Upon returning home to Sioux City he told his family about his addiction and agreed to stop immediately. “However, in the months before his death Boone’s family said he exhibited symptoms of memory loss, chemical odor, nervousness, and bursts of anger” -classic indicators of continued inhalant abuse. Boone also suffered numerous chemical burns to his skin from huffing computer duster, and when his mother began inquiring about the suspicious injuries, he often blamed work-related incidents.

Just two months after losing her son, Daniel Boone’s mother is warning others of the dangers associated with inhalant abuse -urging all parents to familiarize themselves with the signs and symptoms.

In Sioux County, Iowa it is a misdemeanor to ingest, be under the influence, or distribute inhalants without authorization, and is punishable by up to 30 days in jail.

Unconsious Driver Holds Up Drive-Thru

From The Washington Observer-Reporter in Pennsylvania

A 31-year-old woman was arrested last week and charged with the illegal use of certain solvents and driving under the influence of a solvent. Police reportedly discovered the woman passed out behind the wheel of her vehicle while sitting in the drive-thru lane of a local McDonalds. She is being held in Washington County Jail on $2,500 bond.

California Healthy Kids Survey Statistics

From The Manteca Bulletin in California

Middle school and High School Students in Ripon County, California are annually adminstered the California Healthy Kids Survey; a self-report assessment targeting risky health behaviors. The state-wide survey specifically addresses issues related to drug and substance use, violence, crime, as well as physical and mental health. The Ripon Unified School District has released the following inhalant use statistics: among 7th graders 5% of the student population admitted to using inhalants in their lifetime, as did 5% of all 9th graders surveyed. Interestingly, 13% of all 11th graders surveyed reported past inhalant use, with 72% using alcohol, and 39% using marijuana.