NIPAW 2013: "Be A Superhero In Your Home" Event

The Alliance for Consumer Education partnered with the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) and YMCA of Metropolitan Washington to host "Be A Superhero In Your Home" in recognition of National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week.

On Friday, March 22, 2013 around 200 children were at the YMCA Arlington to learn how to "Be A Superhero in Their Home". The highlight of the event was a visit from Batman- a Poison Prevention Superhero! Arriving in his 1966 replica Batmobile, Batman met with the children to give poison prevention advice like asking an adult before consuming something, not putting products that may harm you into your body, and by reading directions and labels to ensure products are being used in the correct way.

Children worked their way through the following seven stations to become a "Superhero in the Home".

PhD Station

Station 1: PhD Station: The YMCA PhD On The Move Van had children running through obstacles to reach cones that featured two similiar looking pictures. Children had to knock over the cone with the picture they thought was safe to consume. 

Superhero Masks Station

Station 2: Superhero Masks: Since children were becoming superheroes in the home, this station allowed children to create their own superhero identity by having them create a superhero mask. 

Which One Can I Taste? Station

Station 3: Which One Can I Taste?: Children were shown two pictures of similar looking items. One of the items is a consumable product that is ok to eat, while the other is a product from the home that serves a great purpose, but is something one should not eat. Children were asked which they thought was safe to taste. The children were able to see how similar items can look and if they are unsure of what something is they need to ask permission from an adult before touching or tasting. 

Safe to Taste Collages

Station 4: Safe to Taste Collage: Children searched through magazines and newspapers to find pictures of items that are safe to taste and not safe to taste. They then added the images to group collage boards that were presented at the end of the event, as a visual reminder of what the kids learned throughout the day.

Batman meeting with CSPA
President Chris Cathcart and
his family during the Batman Station.

Station 5: Batman: Children had the opportunity to meet with Batman in a small group setting. Batman explained why he is a Poison Prevention Superhero, and gave out Batman goodies to the kids!

How Can I be a superhero in the home...

Station 6: How Can I be a Superhero In The Home?: Children discussed and created a list of ways they can be poison prevention superheroes at home. Relying on the information they had gathered throughout the other stations, children talked about ways to protect themselves and their families- like reading labels and asking before touching.

I Make A Good Superhero Because...

Station 7: I Make a GoodSuperhero in the Home Because...: Children chose one way they can be a superhero in the home and either drew or wrote what they will do. Children also signed "Thank you" posters to Batman thanking him for coming to the event.






Thank you posters to Batman!



All children left with an ACE Goodie Bag which included Inhalant Abuse and Poison Prevention materials, YMCA materials, and a special gift bag from Batman!

For more pictures of the event please visit ACE's Facebook here. Also, for more information on NIPAW and inhalant abuse prevention please visit www.inhalant.org/NIPAW.

ACE and the Boys and Girls Club Celebrate NIPAW

Yesterday, the ACE team went to the Hopkins Branch Boys and Girls Club in D.C. to share tips about poison prevention.

The presentation provided facts about poison prevention and encouraged club members to always ask an adult before smelling, touching, or tasting an unknown substance. The club members were eager to show off their acquired knowledge about poison prevention by answering questions, and they enjoyed trying to distinguish “look-alikes” (poisons that look like safe items).

After the presentation, the club members tested their home safety skills with the Heroes of the Health League game (which you can play here). They also completed an activity sheet about poison prevention, which can be downloaded at this link.

Members showing that poisons can hurt you even if you smell them!

Working hard on the activity sheets

Enjoying the Heroes of the Health League game

ACE would like to thank Monique Lee at the Hopkins Branch Club for allowing us to share the message of poison prevention with the wonderful kids at the Boys and Girls Club.

ACE would also like to thank Krista Osterthaler at the National Capitol Poison Center for all of the wonderful resources and assistance she provided.

Remember, if you suspect someone has been poisoned, call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222!

NIPAW Press Conference- Helium is No Laughing Matter

The National Inhalant Prevention Coalition sponsored a press conference on March 15, 2012, to kick off National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week (NIPAW). The event, which was held at the National Press Club, was entitled “Helium is No Laughing Matter; It Can Be Deadly.”

Speakers included Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy; David Shurtleff, Ph.D., Acting Deputy Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH; Harvey Weiss, Executive Director of NIPC; and Brian Dyak, President/CEO of Entertainment Industries Council, Inc. The speakers provided observations about the issue of inhalant abuse and the dangers of helium when used as an inhalant. They advocated that more education is necessary for this worldwide problem.

The event closed with Loriann and Justin Earp, the parents of Ashley Long, who died at a party last month after inhaling helium from a tank. Justin offered several poignant remarks about the tragedy of losing a child in this way. Parents, he said, should not have to pick out a coffin for their daughter instead of a prom dress or receive a death certificate instead of an 8^th grade diploma. Loriann and Justin are determined to share Ashley’s story to prevent other parents from experiencing the same heartbreak. To find out more, visit ashleyshope.org.

Harvey Weiss, Executive Director of NIPC

Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (seated) and Brian Dyak, President/CEO of Entertainment Industries Council, Inc.

Justin Earp, Ashley Long's stepfather

What Will You Do?

Next week (March 18-24) is National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week, and we want to know what you are doing to raise awareness. How is your community working to prevent deaths like Ashley’s? Let us know! Contact us so we can highlight it on this blog and our community boards.

National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week

March 18-24^th, 2012, is National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week (NIPAW). Every year, this week represents an opportunity to educate people about the dangers of inhalant abuse while supporting those who have been affected by inhalant abuse. Countless people are unaware of the dangers and fatalities associated with abusing household items for the purposes of “getting high.”

Fast Facts about Inhalant Abuse*

• The average age of first time users was 16.3 years


• 68.4 percent of first time users were under age 18


• 793,000 people aged 12+ used inhalants for the first time in 2010.

What can you do?

During NIPAW, start a conversation at work or talk to a friend about inhalant abuse. Many communities around the nation hold special programs or write articles to raise awareness about inhalant abuse prevention. If you are planning an event, please contact me so we can add it to this blog and/or our community message board.

You can make a difference in your community and potentially save a life by educating yourself about this pressing issue! Please visit http://www.inhalant.org/ to check out our electronic Inhalant Abuse Prevention Kit and for more information.

*All statistics from 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: http://www.samhsa.gov/data/NSDUH/2k10NSDUH/2k10Results.pdf

National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week (NIPAW) is March 20 - 26, 2011.

Fast Facts about Inhalant Abuse*

- The Average age of first time users was 16.9 years.
- 67.9 percent of first time users were under age 18 when they first used.
- 813,000 people aged 12+ used inhalants for the first time in the last year.
- Inhalant Abuse (Huffing, Dusting, Sniffing) - can kill... users can die the first or 100th time they use an inhalant

How are YOU raising awareness of inhalant abuse in YOUR community? Share your stories and events, and we will post it to our ACE Community blog. Please email information and any questions to Lindsey Partridge: lpartridge@consumered.org

Education is the key to preventing Inhalant Abuse - Be in the know. Visit www.Inhalant.org to learn more.

*All statistics from 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health:http://oas.samhsa.gov/NSDUH/2k9NSDUH/2k9ResultsP.pdf

Does Information Encourage Substance Abuse?

From the Huffington Post:

Does increasing public awareness about inhalant abuse create more users? An article posted this morning presents this question. Specifically, the author cites campaigns in the 1950s and 1960s preceded a rise in inhalant abuse.

On anti-drug campaigns against prescription drugs:

"The same phenomenon was seen again in the late 1990's with the drug Oxycontin. News accounts about a "deadly new high" appeared first--followed by jumps in use and deaths."
The combination of a potentially deadly high and children will probably always be catnip for the media. But, in the case of inhalants, they never seem to ask why inhalants are the only drugs whose popularity declines as preteens become teenagers and young adults."

The alternative:

"Rather than "raising awareness" of the deadly nature of inhalants, we should instead raise awareness of the lousy high involved, perhaps failing to characterize it as a high at all. Inhalants basically produce the experience of brain damage-- not a specific, pharmacological result."

As always, we encourage you to leave comments here or share your opinions on the message board. What do you think?

National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week: Dr. Jennifer Caudle

Dr. Jennifer Caudle is an osteopathic family physician and director of the family medicine section of the Department of Internal Medicine at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. She has appeared on ABC News, written healthy advice articles and led workshops nationally. Her message of wellness has reached over 50,000 people and she can be found at http://www.jennifercaudle.com/.

ACE: Why is National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week important?

Dr. Caudle: This week is so important to recognize because we are learning just how common inhalant abuse is among young people. According to data from the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUHs), 6.9% of 12 year olds have used an inhalant to get high. Interestingly, this makes inhalant abuse more common than the use of cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine and other drugs. This truly is a problem that needs to be addressed.

ACE: What role does the medical community have in increasing awareness about inhalants?

Dr. Caudle: It is important for the medical community to understand how common this problem is. Becoming educated is only part of the answer however, as we must also get involved in educating patients and parents about this problem. It is important to ask our patients about inhalant abuse just as we ask about other illicit drugs, alcohol and tobacco, and we need to become aware of the signs and symptoms of inhalant abuse.

ACE: What advice would you give to parents about protecting children from misusing household products?

Dr. Caudle: One of the most important things a parent can do is to talk with their children about their behavior and listen; an open dialogue is extremely important. It is also important to keep in mind that inhalants are often commonly found items found in the home; from hairspray to computer cleaners and paint thinners, inhalants are often easily obtained and inexpensive as well.

ACE: How can parents identify inhalant abuse?

Dr. Caudle: There are a wide range of symptoms that can appear with inhalant abuse. Some people will exhibit a change in mood, personality or behavior. Others may have changes in speech or movement. It is important to be aware of any unusual chemical smells on clothing which could signal chemical use. In addition, the effects of inhalant abuse can range from eye and nose irritation, nosebleeds and watery eyes, to heart, liver and kidney damage.

ACE: Where can someone find medical resources for treatment?

Dr. Caudle: I would start with the NIPC- National Inhalant Prevention Coalition at http://www.inhalants.org/ and SAMHSA- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services at http://oas.samhsa.gov/.

In addition to the resources listed above, you can find more information about inhalant abuse at http://www.inhalant.org/. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week Press Conference

To launch National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week, the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition, with support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), held a press conference to focus on inhalant use and efforts by the medical profession to educate physicians. The widely-attended event brought together media, federal agencies, and those personally affected to bring attention this important issue.

Pamela Hyde, SAMHSA Administrator, spoke poignantly about the recent upticks in drug use as a recent study showed a regression in adolescent attitudes about drug use. This trend, which is a harbinger of future drug use, is magnified when discussing inhalant abuse because many teens don’t think it is a ‘real’ drug. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, attitudes about drug abuse were have tumbled to 58% from 75% in earlier surveys.

Ms. Hyde noted that inhalant accessibility and ignorance about side effects contribute to the problem. Among 12-year olds nationwide inhalants are the drug of choice. Currently, alcohol is the only substance with higher user rates than inhalants.

Dr. Jennifer Caudle, of the American Osteopathic Association, intimated inhalant abuse is affecting the medical community as medical professionals have access to commonly abused gases, such as nitrous oxide. Additionally, there is little formal training about recognizing inhalant abuse allowing cases to go undiagnosed. In response, Dr. Caudle and the AOA are helping to create a support system and dialogue among medical practitioners to illuminate that areas need improvement.

The last two speakers shared personal accounts of how inhalant abuse affected their lives. Ashley, 17, and Kevin, a parent who lost his daughter to inhalants, offered poignant and intertwined reflections. The two are now learning how to live new lives of recovery and loss respectively.

We would especially like to thank Harvey Weiss, Executive Director of NIPC for organizing this annual event as it is emblematic of his steadfast efforts to combat inhalant abuse.

National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week

March 14th-20th, 2010 marks National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week (NIPAW). Every year, this week represents an opportunity to educate people about the dangers of inhalant abuse while supporting those who have been affected. Countless people are unaware of the dangers and fatalities associated with abusing household items for the purposes of “getting high”.

In a national survey, 22.3 million Americans claimed to have used inhalants at least once[1]. This year is particularly significant as studies show inhalant abuse is on the rise. According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, one in five minors have abused inhalants prior to reaching 8th grade[2]! Often the trend continues silently because parents and relatives are unfamiliar with the symptoms that signal abuse.

Short term inhalant abuse can result in dizziness, loss of consciousness, severe mood swings, and headaches. Prolonged use can cause liver and kidney malfunctioning, loss of hearing, and irreparable central nervous system damage. Some people even die from a cardiac seizure, known as Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome, which can occur on the 1st or 100th misuse. For more information on effects of inhalant abuse, please click here.

What can you do?

During NIPAW, start a conversation at work or talk to a friend about inhalant abuse. In this week many communities around the nation hold special programs or write articles to raise awareness about inhalant abuse prevention. If you are planning an event, please contact me as we can add it to our blog and/or our community message board.

You can make a difference in your community and potentially save a life by educating yourself about this pressing issue! Please visit http://www.inhalant.org/ to check out our electronic Inhalant Abuse Prevention Kit and for more information on the issue.


Sources:[1] http://www.drugabuse.gov/researchreports/inhalants/inhalants.html
[2] Inhalants - Special Report, Partnership for a Drug-Free America™, 2006

Inhalant Press Conference

From The Talk Radio News Service:

The article recaps yesterday’s news conference that kicked off the 17th annual National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week.

It starts by quoting NIPC Executive Director Harvey Weiss “Why is this important? There are a couple facts to keep in mind: Inhalants are the first drug a young person will experiment with, even before alcohol, marijuana, and meth. And that’s why it’s considered a gateway drug. Inhalants are more addictive than cocaine or amphetamines”

He also points out that “statistics show that 17.2% of youth ages 12-17 first experiment with drugs by sniffing household products.”

Dr. Tim Condon, Deputy Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, then “shared the results of this year’s “Monitoring the Future” survey. The statistics showed, “9% of 8th graders have used inhalants in the past year. That’s phenomenal, and of course our 8th graders, the youngest… are those who are using the most.”

Dr Condon also noted, “Disturbing news: The first data point was that there was a decrease of perceived risk of inhalants regularly between 8th graders from 2007 to 2008… Not only that but the disapproval rate among young people actually decreased as well.” Decrease in perceived risk and simultaneous decrease of disapproval is usually indicative of a future increase in the use of the drug. “

The article then highlights the work of Dana Prothro, a mother who lost her 19 year-old daughter to inhalants. In 2007, her daughter tried to get high using household air-conditioner fluid, and the event was tragically fatal. Prothro has successfully lobbied to change air-conditioner model codes; the guidelines now call for locking caps on outside refridgerant access points. “We now need the states to incorporate these 2009 model codes into their building codes. This is a crucial fight to prevent deaths and injury due to refridgerant huffing,” she explained.

New National Inhalant Data

The results of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health’s “Trends in Adolescent Inhalant Use: 2002 to 2007” were released today at a press conference in Washington, DC.

The report noted:

• In 2007, almost 1.0 million adolescents used inhalants in the past year.
  
• The percentage of adolescents (youths aged 12 to 17) who used inhalants in the past year was lower in 2007 (3.9%) than in 2003 (4.5%), 2004 (4.6%), and 2005 (4.5%).
  
• Among first time users in the past year, the rate of use of nitrous oxide or “whippits” declined between 2002 and 2007 for both male and females. (males 40.2% to 20.2%)(females (22.3 to 12.2%)


• Use of aerosol spray other than spray paint was higher in 2007 than 2002 (25% versus 12.6%)


• In 2007, 17.2% of adolescents who initiated illicit drug use during the past year indicated that inhalants were the first drug they used. This rate remained relatively stable between 2002 and 2007.


• In 2007, 2.1% of adolescents who had not previously used inhalants began using them during the 12 months prior to the survey.

Thank you Bowie High School

Also in Maryland, Bowie High School is displaying the following message on their outdoor marquee in from of the school. A thank you goes out to Bowie High as well!

Thank you Giant store # 310 in Bowie, Maryland

We are happy to see communities already engaged in National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week activities.

A consumer in Maryland just let us know that our Inhalant Abuse Prevention brochure is on the counter at her local Giant Food store. She was able to snap a photo and send it took us .

Thank you Giant store # 310 in Bowie, Maryland for recognizing the importance of this issue:

Knox County Kicks off NIPAW

From the Galesburg Register Mail in Illinois:

The Illicit Drug Task Force of the Knox County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition is working to reduce inhalant abuse in their community.

On Saturday, to kick of National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week, the group will be at Wal-Mart from 9 am – 12 pm “passing out information and displaying some commonly abused products. They also will encourage parents and grandparents to talk to children about inhalants.”

The 2008 Illinois Youth Survey revealed that the “almost one in ten” 6th, 8th and 10th graders in Knox County has abused inhalants. Additionally “about 95% of parents believe their child has never abused inhalants.”

NIPAW Inhalant Resources from SAMHSA

National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week (NIPAW) is March 15-21, 2009.

Please click on the following image to reach SAMSHA Health Information Network's NIPAW website. On the site, you'll find information for both parents and teens.

Also let us know what your community is doing in honor of NIPAW this year!

2nd Annual Inhalant Prevention Conference in VA

The Virginia Inhalant Abuse Prevention Coalition is holding its second annual Inhalant Abuse Prevention Conference! The conference will take place on March 16, 2009 in Williamsburg, Virginia at the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel.

The conference will be beneficial for educators, law enforcement, prevention specialists, emergency care providers, social workers, school health and mental health professionals, policy makers, health care professionals, juvenile justice staff, PTA representatives and anyone who is concerned about protecting the health and safety of our youth. Early registration fee is $55 (by Feb 13th). After that, regular registration is $65.

Those in attendance will hear from experts about the problem of inhalant use and learn about successful prevention initiatives that have been developed to combat it. For a complete description of the conference agenda, workshops, and to register on-line, please go to www.htsac.org.

Please click here to view the flyer for the conference. For more information, please feel free to contact Sandy Bailey at sbailey@co.newkent.state.va.us or (804) 869-4311; Nadia Williams at nwilliams@tni.net or (757 )476-5070.

Inhalant Brochures at Giant

We visited Giant store #0378 at Tivoli Square in Washington DC and were pleased to see that our brochures were still being prominently displayed on their pharmacy counter.


They were featured at both Giant and Stop & Shop pharmacies in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast areas during NIPAW, March 16th-23rd. They feature advice for parents about inhalants as well as tips on how to talk to your children.

Has anyone in these regions spotted the brochures at your pharmacy? Take a picture, send it to us, and we'll be happy to post it here on the blog.

NIPAW News

Various news sources are writing about inhalant abuse, such as:

PerpetualParenting: "For Adolescents, Inhalants are Drug of Choice". This is a blog dedicated to a variety of different issues that parents face with their child.

Solvent and Volatile Substance Abuse: "US Teens Prefer Inhalants to Marijuana, Researchers Say". - a great source for information on inhalants in the United Kingdom.

Kansas City infoZine: "March 16-22 is National Poison Prevention Week". Even though inhalants have been kind of forgotten in this article, they received a mention down towards the bottom.

Daily American: "Inhalants and Poisons".

Morning Sentinal: "Article on Huffing Put Focus on Problem". This is a letter to the editor in response to an article about inhalant abuse published last week. The author is an industrial hygienist warning about how children are inhaling chemicals at levels that are 1,000 - 10,000 times the amount that would be concerning in a workplace.

Be Informed II

Inhalant abuse has been receiving some great exposure in Kempton, Pennsylvania. The fire station highlighted inhalant.org on their display board. Janna Zuber's sign from Bowie, Maryland is really gaining momentum!

Kroger Display

Kroger Pharmacy #555 in Kenton, Ohio has taken the initiative to display brochures and posters for NIPAW. Kathleen Hilty is a technician working at the pharmacy who has given poison awareness talks for the past eight years.

After noticing the inhalant problem in the community, she added inhalant abuse to the discussions. In a letter to ACE, she mentions that,

"Children in our community were discovering this practice out of sheer 'boredom' and/or curiosity. Being a small town situated directly between major drug related cities, we have our share of problems. This program is very important to myself and our community and I will continute as long as I possible can."

This is another outstanding example of how individuals can really make a difference in their own communties. Great job, Kathleen!