Israel Defense Forces Prohibit Huffing

Via the Times of Israel :

The Israeli Defense Forces "cracked down this month on its list of illicit substances that could make a soldier liable for prosecution if abused while on duty." The new regulations include "inhalation of air-conditioning gas."        

New Zealand Man Dies after Huffing Butane

Via Stuff in New Zealand:

The coroner findings have been released and reveal that a 24 year old man who died on November 20, 2013 died from "acute butane toxicity" after huffing lighter fluid.

The article points out that in New Zealand between 2000 and 2012, there have been 63 deaths related to huffing butane, with 55 of them under 24 years old and 24 of them under 17.

The report also notes that after up to three minutes, the man collapsed and fell face down.  Friends and paramedics were unable to revive him and he died at the park.

Inhalant Abuse on the Rise in India

Via the Times of India: 

The articles notes that the Coimbatore government hospital sees at least five to 10 new cases of inhalant addiction every month and that the majority of the abusers are teens.

Glue Sniffing Targeted in Borneo

Via the Borneo Post: 

The Inhalants Act aims to combat the abuse of glue among the public, especially youths.  The Director of the National Anti-Drugs Agency noted the increase in the number of children who are abusing glue and said the bill was moving forward to the Attorney General's Office soon.  The government is also taking steps to control the sale of glue.

Inhalant Abuse on the Increase in Jamaica

Via The Gleaner in Jamaica:

The results of the 2013 National Secondary School Survey were released and show that “inhalant abuse has gone up significantly.” The role of the parent was also discussed and is determined to be a “critical component for fighting this problem.”

Deodorant Pulled From Shelves in Australia Because of Inhalant Abuse

Via ABC News in Australia:

Rexona deodorant has been pulled from supermarket shelves in Australia and is now being sold from behind the counter due to a “spiraling rate of inhalant abuse by the town’s children.” In the last two weeks, the Central Australian Youth Link Up Service (CAYUS) has collected almost 500 used cans of deodorant from public places.  A CAYUS manager notes that the situation is “out of control” and that a large number of young children are involved with “more than 50 kids under 12 who have been referred to welfare because of their sniffing.”

Inhalant Abuse: A Growing Concern in Qatar

Via Just Here: Community Without Borders:

 Inhalant Abuse is a growing problem in Qatar.  The article mentions the widespread abuse of butane and a firsthand perspective of its effect:  “There are a lot of visuals.  At one point, the light in my car started sucking up objects. I looked back to see where they were going, and I saw a head floating on a cloud.”

The article also mentions the effects of ethyl chloride, a topical anaesthetic skin refrigerant.  "You feel a buzzing sound for about 15 seconds, then euphoria, then calm" and notes that carburetor fluid, has similar effects.

A psychiatrist explains inhalant abuse has " a very deleterious effect on the sinuses. It affects the neurons; they dilute or dissolve the fats of [cells in] the sinus. We’ve seen many cases where they develop prolonged psychosis."  

New Zealand Death Attributed to Inhalant Abuse

Via Stuff.co in New Zealand:

The results of the coroner’s report has been released and the death of 16 year old Shane Kotuhi has been attributed to inhalant abuse.

 In May 2011 the teen was found dead on an apartment’s bathroom floor and an “almost-empty can of air freshener was found with a towel that smelt strongly of the freshener.”  

Unique Approach to Curbing Huffing Gasoline and Propane in Canada

Via NunatsiaqOnline in Canada:

In Kugluktuk, the town is taking a unique approach to combating huffing gasoline and propane. Between January and March this year local carpenters built 121 lockable gas boxes and painted them bright yellow. They then gave them away to the community free so they could safely store their gas cans and propane tanks.

After an increase in inhalant abuse cases in 2012 including a death last summer the community started a “Protect Our Youth: Kugluktuk Inhalant Abuse Program.” In September they “put up 20 large posters and distributed brochures around town to alert the community about sniffing and educate people about the risks, signs and symptoms of inhalant abuse.” The following month they talked about huffing and sniffing on a radio show. In December they hosted a community gathering about the issue and from that meeting came the idea of the yellow boxes.

New Volatile Substance Abuse Decree in Fiji

 Via the Fiji TimesOnline:

After noting 212 inhalant abuse cases in 2011, Fiji has drafted a “Volatile Substance Abuse Decree.” The article notes: “Under the draft decree, a person who sells or supplies a volatile substance to a child in circumstances where it is reasonable to suspect that the child may inhale or use it to become intoxicated, commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $5000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.”

A special task force from the Fiji Police Force will review and provide comments and the National Substance Abuse Advisory Council has also proposed a list of new volatile substances that should be included under the decree.