Blog Report

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Driver Killed After Huffing, Kids Thrown From Car

From the Barberton Herald in Ohio:

A still developing story:

Last night, a driver, who was allegedly under the influence of an inhalant, lost control of the car in which several other children were traveling. The car overturned, the female driver was pronounced dead at the scene, and the children are in very serious condition.

The first comment under the story is particularly heartbreaking “ my heart goes out to those poor children... we saw them lying on the side of the accident, so sad that their lives will now be changed forever...life is just to precious and short to waste it..in one split second everything can change...”

Mom Huffing & Driving with 2 Week Old Son in Backseat

From Wink News in Florida:

A 30 year old woman was found to have been huffing computer duster while driving – with her two week old son in the backseat.

She passed out, causing her car to “veer off the road, hit a sign, and slammed into a pillar underneath the Interstate.”

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Car Crashes Into Ruby Tuesday After Driver Huffs

From the Sun Journal in Lewiston, Maine:

This past Sunday, a 41-year old man was arrested after crashing his 2004 Chevrolet sport utility vehicle through a wall into a Ruby Tuesday’s restaurant.

The police report notes he was “extremely confused due to huffing inhalants." He was charged with “operating after license suspension, operating under the influence (two priors), violation of bail conditions and unlawful possession of inhalants.”

Friday, July 23, 2010

Navy Men Recovering After Oxygen Canister Explodes

From Kitsap Sun (July 19)

Two Navy men got more than they bargained for when their oxygen canister exploded. The duo, 28 and 22, received second- and third-degree burns with the younger charring his face, neck and chest. They sustained injuries from a canister that was thrown into an open flame. Their carelessness landed them in ICU and they are in "satisfactory" condition.

The ensuing events endangered several people including two women and three children who were nearby. Reports suggest they were not injured, but it was a close call as the explosion launched the canister across a street. The canister landed between a gas station and coffee shop approximately 300 feet away.

Witnesses say the men previously stole oxygen canisters to huff the chemical contents. A commanding officer said inhalant abuse violates the Navy and can result in a discharge. She claimed to have no knowledge of huffing or the men's alleged abuse.

Mansfield Man Charged With Assault In Huffing Crash

From The Mansfield News Journal (July 14):

Last week, an Ohio judge ruled that the driver in a March crash was guilty of vehicular assault. Police reports indicated the young man was huffing before he started driving. His impaired condition endangered other drivers as well as the five passengers packed into his Saturn Ion. The 18-year old's car crossed the highway median and shot up an embankment into a cluster of trees.

The report did not say if he was injured but at least one of his passengers sustained long-term damage. A 16-year old involved in the accident is just getting her life back together.

"She's walking pretty good now. Thank God for that, but she can't go out and play. She just has to be very careful" her stepfather said.

The young man was not jailed, but did receive a six month sentence in a juvenile detention center. He pled guilty to an additional theft charge and, pending a judges ruling, may be granted an early release.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

16-Year Sentence For Driver In Huffing Crash

From KFMB-TV:

A California man received a 16-year sentence after he admitted to huffing before getting behind the wheel. His impairment contributed to a crash that killed a 9-year old girl. The 34-year old man, who initially denied wrong doing, showed a penitent posture during sentencing. "I can never repay your loss," he said.

The accident left the young victim with a crushed skull, she was later removed from life support 12 days later, and the man unconscious. At the crash, authorities found several aerosol cans. His vehicle may have traveled as fast as 70 mph before colliding at the intersection.

Huffing For Gold: Tennessee Man Arrested On Inhalant Charge

From The News Examiner :

By 2 AM, most people are tucked into bed. On Sunday a Tennessee man was found on his way to a lake with different plans in mind. Police questioned the 32-year old when they noticed a large golden spot on his nose. Their suspicion was justified as the man admitted he intended to huff paint during the wee morning hours.

A search of the man's vehicle yielded several cans of spray paint and a bag of prescription pills. For the man lightening struck twice- well six times- as this is not his first huffing charge. He was arrested and is being held on $25,000 bond.

Coroner: Refrigerant Implicated In Drowning

From KIVI-TV (July 9):

An Idaho teen shared her homage at a memorial for her deceased friend. She sat in solitude as she read her poem between two crosses. Following the July 6 drowning of 15-year old, the town has asked many questions about inhalants. Adults appear unaware teens were getting high from household products. Teens simply did not know it could kill.

Previously, the cause of death was uncertain. An autopsy now shows drowning ultimately caused the young man to stop breathing. It is also clear inhalants played a role. Between the accident and now, reports surfaced that the victim was huffing refrigerant prior to the incident.

"I guess it's this new thing everyone's doing," one teen suggests. Hopefully, that will change.

Indiana Man Says Mea Culpa On Huffing Charge

From The Star Press (June 28):

An Indiana man has entered a guilty plea on his fourth inhalant abuse charge and sixth known offense. In 2001, the man was arrested on three separate occasions for misusing products to get high. His futile attempt to flee authorities earned him a punitive resisting arrest charge.

This time, the 30-year old was found huffing carburetor cleaner in his apartment bathroom. Reports says the man filled a sock with the intoxicant and proceeded to inhale the fumes. He was arrested for inhaling intoxicating vapors and, following his guilty plea, sentenced to 180 days in jail. The report did not indicate who alerted authorities to the man's drug abuse.

Monday, July 12, 2010

3-Year Old Learns Huffing From Mom

From Tricities.com (July 8):

Children often pick up their parents quirks and habits. A Tennessee woman learned this the hard way after she passed out from abusing duster. Her conscious child, hip to his mother's addiction, climbed on top of her and began spraying the aerosol into her mouth. The 3-year old then turned the can on himself, replicating the behavior.

Emergency medical responders discovered the 25-year old mother huffed an entire can of duster before she lost awareness. She was arrested and held on $10,000 bond.

Did Inhalant Abuse Cause Idaho Drowning?

From KBOI 2 News (July 9):

New information suggests a recent drowning victim huffed refrigerant before the accident. Last week, locals pulled an unconscious boy from a pond after he was seen floating in the water. The teen was swimming with a friend when he lost consciousness. Neither the first responders or emergency technicians were able to revive the young man.

Teens are aware peers abuse household products to get high. "I've done it with whipped cream cans..." one teen confesses. Another teen admitted to feeling peer pressure to use saying"...it's like when you're with friends and they're doing it, so you do it."

It is unclear if the inhalants caused or contributed to the 15-year old's death. It is clear that the town's greatest danger may be in the home, not outside.

Woman Arrested For Huffing Hair Spray

From WLKY (July 9):

Local residents had cause for concern last week when a 22-year old was found unconscious in a running vehicle. However her disoriented state was induced by her own substance abuse rather than another person's ill will.

The Louisville resident lost consciousness after huffing aerosol. An alert citizen contacted the police who responded to the scene. Officers roused the woman, whose legs were hanging out the back of a van, and charged her with public intoxication. Police recovered 11 cans of hair spray from the vehicle and a scarf that smelled like the aerosol.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Tweens Shoplift Duster

From The Gillette News-Record (July 7):

Two Wyoming boys may have sought a thrill but they ran up against the law. The duo, ages 12 and 13, stole a pair of shorts, graphic t-shirt and can of duster on a shoplifting spree. The boys admitted to huffing duster, but did not say what they were going to do with the clothing.

Police did not wink at their transgressions as they were ticketed. The Wal-Mart store incurred a $34 loss. The report did not indicate whether the accused will face further legal action.

19-Year Old Charged In Inhalant Crash

From WWayTV3 (July 6):

A North Carolina woman was charged with huffing following a car crash two month ago. The offender's mother accompanied her to court but neither spoke to the press. The next court date is scheduled for July 19 for over half a dozen charges including inhaling toxic vapors and possessing toxic vapors.

Inhalants Suspected In Crash

From The Malvern Daily Record (July 7):

Emergency responders arrived at a crash that could have been fatal. Police say a Chevrolet Tahoe crossed the median on an interstate highway, striking a tractor trailer. The vehicle rolled at least once before resting along the nearby tree line. The Arkansas driver, who reports suggest was alone, was flown to a local hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Police believe the accident could have been avoided. They suspect the 31-year old driver was impaired at the time of the crash. They think he may have been abusing inhalants.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Florida Study: Inhalants Caused Deaths

From Docuticker:

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement recently released new data about the presence of drugs in the deceased. The report is insightful as inhalant abuse deaths are not always recorded as such. The friends and family of victims can be reluctant to list the cause of death as they may be fearful of the stigma attached to a drug related passing.

Medical examiners reported 8,653 drug-related deaths in 2009. Of these, examiners say a majority had more than one drug in their system. The data collected showed:
  • Diflourethane caused 9 out of 12 recorded deaths.
  • The investigation also revealed that helium caused 6 out of 11 recorded deaths in this category.
  • Nitrous oxide caused 1 out of 3 recorded deaths.
  • A group named "Other Inhalants" was the cause of death in 11 out of 11 cases.
You can view the complete report here.

Woman Accepts Inhalant Abuse Charge

From The Progress News (July 1):

A 30-year old Pennsylvania woman waived her right to a hearing on a litany of charges, including corruption of minors. The woman is accused of huffing duster and offering the drug to an accompanying child. The Morrisdale resident admitted to teaching the child how to abuse the aerosol product.

Other reports indicate her arrest was the response to several warning signs. In April, authorities received a call regarding potential child abuse. A caseworker interview revealed the juvenile accompanied the woman to Wal-Mart over 12 times. She is awaiting sentencing as she free on bail.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Hospitalized Woman Arrested For Inhalant Abuse

From My Fox Spokane (June 30):

She "consumed duster in an attempt to get high" a police report explained. The 27-year old woman in question was previously arrested on DUI and battery charges. Still, it is unclear how long she abused inhalants.

Police say an acquaintance found the woman unconscious near a pool of vomit. She was then roused from her state through a nudge but used her energy to spray more duster into her mouth. She was treated at an area hospital and arrested.

This woman is one of over a million Americans who abused inhalants during their lifetime. Although she was arrested, the women survived a high that could have taken her life. Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome, a chemically induced cardiac arrest, causes a staggering 22% of inhalant-related deaths.