Repeat Gasoline Huffer Arrested in Britain

Via Opposing Views:

A British man is so addicted to inhaling gasoline that he has been “sent to prison due to his inability to stay away from fuel pumps.”

On December 30^th he was caught twice trying to steal gasoline from local stations. He was arrested, sentenced to 16 months in prison, and ordered to pay $180 to cover damages he caused to the equipment.  

The article notes he tried to get help for his addiction in the past but at one point he was “turned away because he wreaked so strongly of gas that he was deemed a fire hazard.” At one point in previous years he had “sneaked on to the same forecourt 51 times to steal fuel.”  The article also notes that according to Addiction Treatment magazine, inhalant abuse is on the rise.

Prince Harry Caught Using Inhalants

Via The Daily Mail in the UK:

The newspaper reports that last Friday 26 year-old Prince Harry was observed inhaling from "several balloons of nitrous oxide provided at £1.50 a time at a charity fancy-dress party in Dulwich, South London."

The article quotes someone at the party remarking that Harry "loves laughing gas. It is only mild and gives you a two-minute high.But if you have had alcohol or other drugs, it can space you out for much longer. Some people pass out after inhaling it."

it also defines nitrous oxide as the propellant in aerosols and a mild anaesthetic which has also become a recreational drug of choice for the middle classes. "It is known as 'hippy crack' for the euphoria it induces."

The article points out that at least two deaths have been attributed to it in the last few years. In 2007, a a 23 year-old man was found dead at his home next to a large cylinder of the gas and in 2009, comedian Martin Cassidy died last year after accidentally overdosing.

Girl Abuses Butane, Found Dead

From UTV News (June 10):

On Thursday, Irish eyes were not smiling when a 15-year-old was found dead in Newtownards park. Some argue the handwriting was on the wall as the troubled teen had been in several care facilities prior to her passing.

The community is mourning her untimely death and asking who is at fault. "I believe there needs to be a corporate examination into what happened...This is a corporate ownership" one man said.

The Northern Ireland care facility is launching an inquiry to determine whether they should revise their screening policies. Community members believe a lax policy allowing residents to travel off the property may be to blame. The controversial rule is meant to reward residents who pose a lower risk to themselves and others may soon change.

In her death the teen still brings pleasant memories to those who were around her. "I found her to be a real live wire, a really funny wee girl...she would have lit up any room" a facility recalls. A postmortem examination revealed the young woman died from inhaling butane.