After Sonora Accident

The Union Democrat of California is responding to the incident last week in which a 16-year-old drove under the influence of inhalants and abandoned her car after she crashed into a wall. Several different officials from the area weigh in about inhalant abuse. From the article:

District Attorney Donald Segerstrom said huffing has been around for a long time, but it is something his office only encounters occasionally. He finds it is primarily youth who experiment with huffing.

The crime is charged as a misdemeanor under the influence of drugs or possession of an inhalant with intent to inhale. For juveniles, it carries varying consequences determined on a case-by-case basis.

Aside from trouble with the law, it is "unbelievably dangerous," he warned.

"They are taking their life into their own hands, and no one should be doing that," he said. "There is a reason there are warning signs on those cans."

Hopefully the incident will raise awareness for parents, students, and educators about the dangers of inhalants as well as driving under the influence.