Blog Report

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

30 Year Old Texas Man Arrested for Inhalant Abuse

From the Mineral Spring Wells Index in Texas:

The local police blotter reports that a 30 year old man was arrested late last week for "unlawful possession or use of an inhalant/aerosol paint."

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Dendrite & Erazek Addiction on The Rise in India

From the Assam Tribune in India:

The article points out that “Dendrite” and “Erazex” addiction is on the rise in India.

“Dendrite is an adhesive used by carpenters and also for repairing punctured tyres. Erazex is a whitener fluid for correcting typing or writing errors.” Both contain toluene.

Texas Man Arrested for Huffing Dusters

From Reporter News in Texas:

Police responded to a call regarding a suspicious person. Upon responding they found a 32 year old man who had been huffing computer keyboard cleaner. He was arrested for “possession of Volatile Inhalant Chemicals."

Woman Arrested After Huffing in Wal-Mart Bathroom

From TheDailyTimes.com in Tennessee:

On Monday, a 41-year old woman was arrested after huffing two cans of computer duster in a Wal-Mart bathroom.

A witness called police from the Wal-Mart after she “observed the female in the bathroom stall with a can of dust remover and she could hear the sound of the air coming out of the can.”

Harsher New Inhalant Law in Illinois

From WSIL in Illinois:

The article discusses a new law “backed by local legislators and prosecutors brings stiffer penalties to those who huff chemicals.”

The law is aimed at getting help for repeat “huffers.” It increases jail time for those individuals from 30 days to one year. A treatment program for them is also incorporated into the measure.

Boys Run to Get Help for Huffing Mom

From Ocala.com in Florida:

A 31-year old pregnant woman who had been “arrested three times since April on charges of “huffing” harmful chemicals was arrested Friday, accused of the same activity.”

Two of her sons ran to a neighbor in search of help for their mom. When the neighbor escorted the two young boys back to their house, their mom was locked in a bedroom. They removed the doorknob and saw her lying on a bed.

Medical personnel arrived and kicked in the door. The woman was on the bed with an aerosol can nearby. She was able to get up and head to a bathroom where she immediately started inhaling from the can. The boys told deputies that their mother had inhaled from the same can earlier and she admitted it.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Serial Huffer Arrested Again

From WTOV 9 in Ohio:

Patrick Tribett, the man whose gold spray paint covered face was flashed across the internet, was arrested again last Wednesday in West Virginia.

Police received a call regarding a man acting suspiciously at a local ballpark. They found Tribett with gold spray paint once again on his face. He was arrested on one charge of inhaling a chemical and was taken to jail.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Parents Sleeping While 2 Year Old Wanders

Via Kingsport Times News in Tennessee:

On June 3rd, a 2 year old was found wandering in the road while her 22 year old father and 18 year old mother were sleeping.

They each pleaded guilty to two counts of child neglect. The father was sentenced to 90 days in jail (also based on probation violation stemming from his arrest in 2008 for DUI by inhalants). The mother was sentenced to probation and ordered to attend parenting skills classes.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Baby Killed When Duster Huffing Driver Crashes Into Amish Buggy

From the Wausau Daily Herald in Wisconsin:

On May 11th, a 50 year old man pleaded guilty to a charge of “homicide by negligent use of a vehicle.” Yesterday he was sentenced to 3 ½ years in prison.

He is accused of using computer duster shortly before crashing into an Amish buggy on August 12, 2009. As a result of the accident a mother and her 6 week old daughter were ejected from the buggy. The baby died.

The article alarmingly notes that “Two other crashes — one in Kentucky and one in Wood County — also were the result of the driver in question using inhalants.”

In sentencing him to 3 ½ years, the court took into account the significance of the crime, his 20-plus years of substance abuse, the fact that he has no criminal record, has shown remorse and is actively trying to defeat his drug addiction.”

Man Huffs Gasoline- Threatens To Kill Friends

From KPHO.com in Arizona:

Last Friday night, police arrested 31 year-old who had been huffing. He had been drinking beer with friends when they asked him to leave because he was huffing gasoline.

The police report notes he left, returned with a large knife and threatened to kill them. Police arrested him at the home and he was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Sentencing for Maine Driver That Huffed & Crashed Car

From the Sun Journal in Maine:

A follow-up to the July 27th blog post about a 41 year-old man that huffed computer duster and then crashed his car into a Ruby Tuesday’s.

The article notes that the driver admitted he had "huffed the dust remover in the (Walmart) parking lot and then attempted to drive home. He couldn't clearly recall how he ended up in the wall of the restaurant." This was also the third time he had been charged with operating under the influence.

However, he hadn’t failed a blood alcohol test in the tree incidents so his case proved unusual for both the prosecution and defense. Therefore the two sides came to a plea agreement late last week. “The agreement drops one operating under the influence charge. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail — to be served concurrently — on some lesser charges. His driver's license was suspended for six years and he was fined $2,200.”

Friday, August 13, 2010

Paint Huffing Couple Endanger Children

From KXXV News Channel 25 in Texas

Earlier this week, a 31 year-old woman and 34-year old man admitted to huffing paint and were arrested for endangering two children.

Police pulled the woman over for a broken taillight and she noted that she was out looking for her children who had gone looking for their dog. In the home, police found “trash throughout the house, missing appliances and only a loaf of bread to eat. Electricity and water at the home were also turned off.”

18 Year Old Driver Huffs & Crashes Car in Tennessee

From TimesNews.Net in Tennessee:

Earlier this week, shortly after 1 am, police responded to a report of a car that had veered off the road. They found that the 18 year old driver had passed out behind the wheel.

She received medical attention at the scene and was transported to the hospital. The deputy noted “her speech was slurred, but due to her injuries a field sobriety test was not conducted.” While waiting for the tow truck they discovered a “12-ounce can of dust remover, two glass pipes and two straws.”

At the hospital she admitted to huffing the computer duster about 15 minutes before the crash along with smoking marijuana and snorting Xanax a few hours earlier. She was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, improper use of hazardous inhalants and possession of drug paraphernalia.

19 Year in California Used Inhalants Before His Death

Via KRCR TV in California:

Earlier this month we reported on the suspicious death of a 19 year old in California. Inhalant abuse was suspected but yesterday the local Sheriff Department confirmed this to be true.

A can of computer duster was found at the scene and that the man’s “friends had also used inhalants while at the creek.” The article continues “The county coroner had not released an exact cause of death, but no foul play is suspected.”

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Inhalant Data from California Healthy Kids Survey

From the Hesperia Star in California:

The California Healthy Kids Survey (grades 5, 7, 9 and 11) revealed inhalant abuse data from the Hesperia Unified School District:
  • 9% of 7th graders have used inhalants to get high
  • 8% of 9th graders have used inhalants to get high
  • 7% of 11th graders have used inhalants to get high

36 Year-Old Texas Man Arrested for Huffing Spray Paint

From the Brownwood News in Texas.

The police blotter for Saturday, August 7th includes an inhalant abuse case:

At 1:58 am Officers responded to a report of a person huffing spray paint. A 36 year-old male was arrested for Inhalant Abuse and sent to the Medical Center and County Jail.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Inhalant Abuse Arrests Down in Singapore

From Channel News Asia in Singapore:

Interesting inhalant related stat in the article: “As for inhalant abuse, the situation improved, with arrests dropping 11%”

Friday, August 6, 2010

Huffing While Driving in West Virginia

From the Charleston Daily Mail in West Virginia:

Last Wednesday, a 30 year old man was arrested after two witnesses called police to report a man huffing while driving. When police stopped him, the driver admitted he had been huffing compressed gas from the can.

He “later performed field sobriety tests that showed he had a high probability of impairment.”
He was charged with “driving under the influence and driving on a license revoked for DUI.”

New Mexico Man Arrested for Abuse of Glue or Aerosol Spray

From the Portales News-Tribune in New Mexico:

On July 26th at 4 in the afternoon, police and EMTs responded to a report of an unconscious male. They were able to revive the man but he refused medical treatment. He was arrested "for abuse of glue or aerosol spray."

Massachusetts Passes Bill on Inhalant Abuse

Via TeenDrugAbuse.org

"Representative Charley Murphy of Massachusetts’ 21st Middlesex district has helped facilitate the passage of a new state bill that includes treatment options for families affected by inhalant abuse.

Currently, Massachusetts family members, physicians, and law enforcement have the capacity to petition the courts for substance abusers to receive court-mandated alcohol or substance abuse treatment in state-approved rehabilitation facilities. Court-ordered treatment usually involves substance abuse rehabilitation residency for 30–90 days, depending on the severity of the substance abuse and its related problems. However, the existing statute overlooks the need for rehabilitation for inhalant abusers whose substance abuse dependencies and addictions tend to go untreated.

With passage of this new state law, Rep. Murphy hopes to bring more focus on this serious problem and assist local families who are affected by inhalant abuse get the help they need. With Rep. Murphy’s bill, the courts can now have the ability to intervene during these crucial moments for teenagers and provide them with the treatment they need, and hopefully prevent further growth of this risky behavior among youths."

Source: Boston.com, Murphy Touts Passage of Inhalant Bill, August 3, 2010

Paint Huffing Man Arrested in Arkansas With Knife

From the Log Cabin Democrat in Arkansas:

This past Tuesday, police responded to a local hotel after a woman complained a man was taking pictures of her daughters while they were swimming in the pool. The woman had complained to the man but he “exited his room holding a large knife” and then just stood and stared at her before returning to the room.

Responding officers noticed the man peering out of his window but he quickly closed the curtain once he noticed police. He refused to open the door so hotel staff keyed entry. Inside they found the 57-year old man “lying on the bed and an “overwhelming odor of inhalants” in the room.”

The report notes silver spray paint was found on his face, hands, feet, and bedsheets. Additionally, “Several cans of silver spray paint were found in the room, as well as a plastic bag with silver paint in it. Two knives were located in the room within reach of the suspect, and a black Chihuahua was found under the bedsheets.”

He was arrested for criminal trespassing and using inhalants.

43 Year Old New Jersey Woman Arrested for Huffing

From NJ.Com in New Jersey:

A 43-year old woman “faces drug-related charges after she was seen huffing compressed gas.”

Arrested at 5:31 pm on July 28th in a shopping center, she is being charged with inhaling toxic chemicals and being under the influence of narcotics. The woman is free on $250 cash bail pending a court hearing.

Inhalant Abuse Suspected in Death of 19 Year-Old

From KHSL in California:

There is a debate brewing about whether or not the death of a 19 year-old man last month was attributed to inhalant abuse.

On July 13th, his friends noted they had been swimming when he “decided to go up the creek.” They reported finding his body floating in the water ten minutes later. Three weeks later, local news received a tip that he and his friends had actually been huffing computer duster at a friend’s home when he collapsed. The tip suggests that “the two young men panicked and drove his body to the creek.” The investigation into the cause of death continues.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Texas Woman Arrested for Huffing

Via Woodlands Online in Texas

From the District 2 Police blotter on July 22nd:

On the evening of July 22nd, police were called to a residence for a family disturbance. Upon arrival, family members complained that a 42 year old female had been huffing. She was “placed in custody, transported to the Criminal Justice Complex, and was charged with one count of Possession and Use of an Inhalant.”

Inhalant Abuse & Emergency Room Visits

The American Journal of Emergency Medicine recently published epidemiologic survey data regarding marijuana and emergency room visits.

The study included an interesting parallel note about inhalant abuse: Respondents who reported lifetime use of inhalants were 6.2% more likely most likely to report experiencing one or more ED visits related to their drug use.

Refrigerant Stolen in Indiana

Via WSBT in Indiana:

Police in LaPorte are looking into refrigerant being stolen from several residential air conditioning units in their area. They are concerned the refrigerant is being used as an inhalant.

The police alert asks that “if you see suspicious activity near air conditioning units or vehicles, call the police department at (219) 362-9446.”