Georgia Officials Warn of Inhalant Abuse Linked Health Risks

Via http://www.cbs6albany.com

Officials in Georgia warn that teens who abuse various household items. In particular they want to spread awareness of sudden sniffing death syndrome. As its name suggests, it occurs when people inhale certain substances that cause rapid damage to the cardiovascular system.

Furthermore, officials describe how many teens and preteens are attempting to get drunk on alcohol-based hand sanitizer. In response to the rise of this action, these officials are warning parents and educators that this action can be quite harmful since it the alcohol in hand sanitizer is not meant for human consumption.

Minnesota Man Arrested for Inhalant Abuse

Via http://www.bemidjipioneer.com

During the afternoon of November 10th, 2015, a 46 year old man in Bemidji, Minnesota was arrested for abusing inhalants. According to local reports, this occurred after a welfare check.

16 Year Old Boy Dies after Inhaling Butane

Via http://www.japantoday.com

On Saturday November 7^th, a 16 year old boy in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture died after inhaling butane. According to local police reports, he and four friends went to a park and began inhaling the gas. Allegedly, they did so by first collecting it in plastic bags. Shortly afterwards he collapsed.

His friends quickly called 119 (the Japanese equivalent of 911). However, this action was not enough. After paramedics arrived, he was soon taken to a local hospital. Although doctors attempted to treat him, the boy died around midnight.

South Carolina Inhalant Case Leads to Police Discoveries

via http://www.inquisitr.com

A South Carolina woman reported her boyfriend to the authorities for huffing paint. When they arrived, he "told the deputies that he didn’t know how the gold paint got [around his mouth and tongue] because he couldn’t remember painting anything. The deputies reported that he showed symptoms of inhalant abuse. Some of those symptoms, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, could include 'dizziness, drowsiness, slurred speech, lethargy, depressed reflexes, general muscle weakness, and stupor.'"


The discovery also prompted removal of a child from the home, as the trailer home was unfit for living. The police reported that the caller was intoxicated on alcohol, and the home was covered in feces, bugs, and garbage. 

California Man Arrested for Huffing while Driving; Reveals Drug Stockpile

Via http://lostcoastoutpost.com

On Wednesday November 4, 2015, a man in Garberville, California was arrested after responding to a report that several individuals were huffing an inhalant know as whip-its. When they initially approached the group scattered. However, the authorities later perused one of the individuals by car after he tried to flee the scene.

After taking him into custody, the police found several hundred whip-it containers in the 34 year old man’s car. Furthermore they found dozens of containers of concentrated cannabis. Ultimately he was arrested and brought to Humboldt County Correctional Facility. The suspect was then charged with possession for sales / transportation of concentrated cannabis, driving on a suspended driver’s license, and violation of probation. His bail is set at $25,000.

South Carolina Father Arrested for Inhalant Abuse

Via http://wspa.com

On Tuesday November 3, 2015, a couple in Spartanburg County South Carolina was arrested. The police were first concerned about suspected inhalant abuse. This was because one of the two had noticeable signs of this activity including a dazed appearance and paint on his face. However, when they enetered their home, they also became deeply concerned about parental neglect.

According to reports, the house was littered with insects, rats, mold, and dog feces. Furthermore, when the police asked the couple’s child to bring a pair of shoes, she was unable to do so. The original suspect was arrested for being under the influence of the Aromatic Hydrocarbons and the mother was arrested for child neglect. The daughter was taken into emergency protected custody.

Florida Doctor Accused of Huffing and Driving for Third Time

via http://www.actionnewsjax.com

A 61-year-old Florida podiatrist is accused of driving while under the influence of inhalants for the third time, following a ticket for reckless driving. The doctor was arrested after swerving off the road and damaging a light pole, and was seen throwing a can of electronics air duster into the woods. Police report that he had three incidents of driving involving duster cans in one week. The doctor was only arrested one of the three times because huffing effects are difficult to identify and typically only last 10-20 minutes, although they can kill immediately.

Rhode Island Driver Abuses Inhalants, Drags Police Office behind Car

Via http://wpri.com

On the morning of Thursday October 29^th, several police officers in Warwick, Rhode Island responded to a report of an erratic driver. They arrived at a local gas station where they found a 27 year old woman who seemed confused in a car that had two blown out tires. Furthermore, the claim to have found huffing materials in the vehicle.

Reportedly, the driver put the car in gear after an officer tried to turn off the engine. This caused an officer to briefly get caught on the car. Fortunately he was not injured since he got loose after approximately ten feet. After this incident the police took the woman into custody and where she currently is facing several charges including DUI, reckless driving and possession of toxic substances.

Rhode Island Woman Charged with Driving Under the Influence of Inhalants

via http://warwickpost.com
"A Smithfield driver who huffed spray-air aerosol while driving early Oct. 29 then popped two tires on a curb was arrested by Warwick officers called to intercept her after she fled in her car, ramming two cruisers before police apprehended her.

The officers charged [her] with reckless driving, Driving Under the Influence of alcohol and/or drugs (the aerosol) and possession of a toxic substance (the aerosol). "

Green Bay Woman Faces Jail for Huffing OWI Offense

via http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com

A 41-year-old Green Bay woman faces an 18-month prison sentence after receiving her 5th DUI, in addition to three years of additional supervision and three years with her driver's license revoked. Police pulled the woman over for erratic driving and discovered cold cans of compressed air, indicating recent and prolonged use. Because of four previous DUI offenses, the incident of driving under the influence of inhalants qualified as a fifth offense, leading to jail time. She was also sentenced to nine months in jail on a misdemeanor charge of intentionally abusing a hazardous substance, which will be served at the same time. 

Wisconsin Woman Arrested after Driving Under the Influence of Inhalants

Via http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com

On the morning of October 29^th, a 41 year old woman from Green Bay Wisconsin was sentenced to 18 months in prison for operating a vehicle while under the influence of an inhalant. The court cited the fact that she was convicted of four separate charges of driving under the influence prior to this latest incident for the stiff sentence.

After she is released, she will serve three years of extended supervision. Also she will have her license suspended for three years. Additionally, the Brown County judge ruled that she must have an ignition interlock installed into her car for two years afterwards.

Texas Car Explosion Linked to Computer Duster

via http://dfw.cbslocal.com

Police were called to the scene of a car explosion in Plano, Texas, with reports detailing that a man with several cans of computer dusters was to blame. Witnesses reported the man scene fleeing from the car, and a bomb squad was called to investigate. As no explosives were discovered at the scene, authorities expect the explosion to have occurred when a man was huffing cans of compressed air duster, followed by lighting a cigarette. A man later appeared at a nearby hospital with burns, although he is reported to recover. No formal charges have been filed.

Florida Doctor Crashes Car after Huffing, Knocks out Power at Local Supermarket

Via http://www.actionnewsjax.com

On the morning of Tuesday October 27^th, a 61 year old physician in Saint Augustine crashed his car into a power pole. This left a major grocery store in the area without electricity. Police responding to the scene reported that the man in question was huffing computer cleaner.

According to the police report, he was fairly compliant with the arresting officers’ requests. However, he was physically unable to stand in order to carry out the field sobriety tests. However, the doctor was eventually taken to the county jail. From there he was charged with DUI with Property Damage and Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Property Damage.

Plano Authorities Suspect a Car fire was Started by Aerosol Abuse

Via http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com

Upon witnessing a car fire in a local parking lot, Plano firefighters believed that the situation warranted an investigation.  According to their reports, the car contained several cans of computer cleaner that were likely used by the driver to become intoxicated. These possess a chemical called difluoroethane which is highly flammable. Therefore, they believe the car ignited when the driver tried to light a cigarette after abusing inhalants.

At the time of the incident, the driver was seen running from the burning car. However, local authorities soon found him. After taking him into custody, they quickly brought him to Parkland Hospital in order to treat his non-life threatening burns.

Michigan Man Found Huffing Duster In Parking Lot

via http://www.mlive.com/

A 19-year-old Michigan man was charged with prohibited use of a chemical agent and driving without a valid license following a tip to the police of a man spraying his face with an unknown substance in a Family Fare parking lot. Officers arrived and found him inhaling a can of duster. Paramedics were called to administer medical attention, and the man was subsequently arrested. 

Minnesota Driver Pleads Guilty in Huffing Related Crash

Via http://www.twincities.com

A 26 year old man from Hastings Minnesota has pleaded guilty to criminal vehicular operation during a court appearance on Monday October 19^th. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on July 26^th in which he collided head on with another car. The other driver was taken to the hospital with back injuries.

Although he denied drinking that day, he admitted to having taken several “hits” from the aerosol cans in the back of his car on his way to work. His current charges count as a gross misdemeanor. Therefore, he will be required to serve 21 days in jail and spend two years on probation. Furthermore, he will have to undergo a chemical evaluation and stay off alcohol and controlled substances.

Washington Woman Hospitalized and Arrested Following Theft of Canned Air

Via http://www.chronline.com

A 31 woman in western Washington State was found passed out in a public bathroom on Saturday October 17th after huffing a significant amount of canned air. Once taken into custody, the police brought her to Providence Centralia Hospital.

Furthermore, the police cited the woman in question on suspicion of third-degree theft and inhaling toxic fumes.

Victim of Man who drove Under the Influence of Inhalants Offers Forgiveness

Via http://www.kptv.com

During an October court appearance, a traffic safety flagger publically forgave the 50 year old man who ran his car into her after inhaling nitrous oxide, also known as “whippets.” According to witnesses, the Portland man was weaving around traffic when he hit the woman despite her orange safety vest and sign that said “slow.” The collision left her in critical condition, although she is not beginning to heal.

After the March 25^th incident, the man pled guilty to charges of third-degree assault and driving under the influence of inhalants. He is currently scheduled to face a sentencing hearing on November 2^nd, 2015.

Family in West Michigan Tries to Raise Awareness about Inhalant Abuse

Via http://www.wwmt.com

A family from the Kalamazoo area has been on a mission to raise awareness about inhalant abuse. This has been in response to what they describe as the troubles of a 30 year old member of their family who has been addicted to inhalants for several years.

One of their main policy objectives is reducing access to potential inhalants in retail stores. As a precedent, they point to restrictions on Sudafed purchases.

Florida Man Sentenced After Huffing 'Duster' in Cemetery, Attacking Police

via http://www.nwfdailynews.com

A Florida man accused of huffing duster in a cemetery was sentenced to a year in prison for attacking police officers.

"Springfield Police were dispatched March 14 at about 1:30 p.m. to a cemetery at 1535 E. 15th St., where 34-year-old William Howard IV was huffing computer cleaner aerosol, also known as “duster.” When officers made contact with him, Howard reportedly became violent, attempting to kick officers several times. Even after police used a stun gun, Howard struggled and attempted to overpower the officers, police reported."