Nebraska Man Arrested for Huffing Inhalants

Via: KWBE Radio

Norfolk, NE - A man in Norfolk Nebraska was arrested twice within a four-period for inhalant abuse. The first arrest occurred in the morning but he was later released after posting bail. Later in the afternoon he was arrested a second time after he was believed to be having an inhalant-induced seizure. The police found a 10-ounce air duster and he was arrested.

National Drug Facts Week: Shatter the Myths

The National Institute on Drug Abuse is holding the third annual National Drug Facts Week from January 27 to February 2, 2014 with the aim of helping shatter the myths about drug use for teens. 

Help ACE use this week to share the facts and dispel the myths regarding inhalant abuse!

Approximately 2.5 million children ages 12-17 use inhalants each year. 59% of kids at age 12 are already aware of their friends huffing. With the average age that some kids start using inhalants at 10 years old, it is crucial to reach these youth with the proper facts and information. 


Further test your knowledge of inhalant abuse facts and myths by taking the ACE Inhalant Abuse Quiz.

Download resources to help you talk to students and parents about inhalant abuse: http://www.inhalant.org/resources/

Be a part of the conversation! Share or post these facts:

• Jan 27- Feb 2 is #NationalDrugFactsWeek join us as we share a fact a day to help shatter the myths of inhalant abuse! @NIDAnews  #inhalants

• Did you know that approximately 2.5 million children ages 12-17 use inhalants each year? #drugfacts #NDFW #inhalants

• The average age that some kids start using inhalants is 10 years old #educatethemearly #drugfacts #NDFW #inhalants

• Did you know that 59% of kids at age 12 are aware of their friends huffing? #drugfacts #NDFW #inhalants

• Liver and kidney damage are serious long-term effects of inhalant abuse #drugfacts #NDFW #inhalants

• Inhalant abuse is deliberately sniffing fumes or gases from common household products #drugfacts #NDFW #inhalants

• Did you know people can die the very first time they use inhalants, known as Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome? #drugfacts #NDFW #inhalants

• Commonly abused products are adhesives/glue, aerosol products, cleaning agents, gases/chemicals, and food products #drugfacts #inhalants

• Inhalants are the fourth most abused substance after alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana #drugfacts #NDFW #inhalants

For more information regarding National Drug Facts Week, visit the website http://drugfactsweek.drugabuse.gov/

ACE and Batman Strike Out Inhalants with the Bowie Baysox



ACE and Batman from Superheroes for Kids teamed up with the Bowie Baysox in Maryland to Strike Out Inhalant Abuse on August 3^rd.

Fans and BaySox Staff dressed as their favorite superheroes to celebrate Superhero Night at the ballpark.


Batman and the four students chosen to participate in the
pre-game presentation wait to begin on the field.

Batman arrived in his Batmobile Lamborghini to greet fans and talk with them about inhalant abuse prevention.

Four lucky middle school fans were chosen to go on the field with ACE and Batman for a pre-game Inhalant Abuse Prevention presentation.  The fans answered five questions on inhalant abuse prevention before Batman led the stadium in an Inhalant Abuse Prevention Pledge.

Inhalant Abuse Prevention Pledge

Throughout the game, Batman interacted with fans giving out Batman bracelets and signing ACE/Baysox posters that featured Caleb Joseph (#17) and the ACE Strike Out Inhalant logo.   In the fifth inning, Joseph was honored for his 400^th game with the BaySox.  Fans enjoyed fireworks in Caleb’s honor as he was recognized for his accomplishments.






ACE materials were handed out to fans as they stopped by the ACE table to learn more about inhalant abuse prevention and meet Batman.  ACE thanks the Bowie Baysox for their support in spreading the Strike Out Inhalants message!


For more pictures and information about the event in Bowie, MD, click here.

Strike Out Inhalants with Batman in Kentucky

The Alliance for Consumer Education and Batman teamed up to Strike Out Inhalants in Kentucky!
Starting in Bowling Green, KY, ACE and Batman partnered with the Bowling Green Hot Rods to bring knowledge and awareness on inhalant abuse prevention to fans.  The Hot Rods sent inhalant abuse prevention folders and packets out to local schools leading up to the Strike Out Inhalants Awareness Night game.

At the July 21^st Strike Out Inhalants game, the Batmobile Lamborghini arrived at the ballpark where Batman greeted fans and talked to kids about staying healthy and not tasting products or substances before asking an adult.

Fans hold up their Jeff
Ames posters!

As fans entered the ballpark to meet Batman, they received a poster featuring Hot Rods Pitcher Jeff Ames (#34) and the Strike Out Inhalants logo.

ACE and Batman headed to the field for a pregame presentation where fans heard about the dangers of inhalants.  Two lucky fans joined Batman and answered inhalant abuse questions during the presentation.  Fans heard that there are more than 1,400 household products that can be abused and that one in five 8th graders have admitted to trying inhalants.  Batman started the game with the ceremonial first pitch.

Throughout the game, Batman had a continuous line of fans ready to meet him and get a Batman bracelet.  An ACE table was stationed next to the Lamborghini so fans could pick up information on inhalant abuse while waiting to meet Batman.

Batman and ACE then traveled to Louisville, where they partnered with Kosair Children’s Hospital and local YMCA’s to host a “Health and Safety Day.”    Batman started off the event with his arrival in the Batmobile as the more than 200 campers chanted, “Batman, Batman, Batman!”



Students wait outside the YMCA Health and
Safety Day for Batman to arrive.

Campers then rotated through eight stations learning about home health and safety, including seat belt safety, helmet safety, and poison prevention.  ACE and Batman represented two of the stations.  At the first station, the younger campers learned about what is safe to taste and what is not safe to taste by separating pictures into the correct category.  Through discussion, the campers learned that there are many products in the home that if used correctly can be very helpful.  However, if they are consumed or inhaled they can be very harmful.  Campers also completed, “I make a good Superhero in my home because….” cards to share how they would be like Batman and be safe in their homes.   Older campers broke into small groups where they tossed around a beach ball answering questions that were written on each colored section of the ball.   The questions helped the students develop ways to say no when asked to use inhalants or other drugs, helped them develop ways to relieve stress, and ways to cope with a bad day.   The questions also helped students think about their goals and dreams and why having goals may help them stay away from inhalants.

Batman talks with students about
being a superhero in the home.

Batman was at the second ACE station.  Students interacted with Batman in a smaller setting as he spoke to them about the need to be a Superhero in your home and treat your body well.   Batman reminded campers that it’s always important to ask an adult before tasting something.  He also told campers how important it is to keep their bodies healthy by reading directions and labels and not putting things in our bodies that are not meant to be consumed.
Batman ended the event by summarizing the stations and reminding the campers of the lessons they learned.


ACE thanks Kosair Children’s Hospital and the Bowling Green Hot Rods for their help and dedication to hosting such wonderful events!


For more pictures of ACE & Batman in Kentucky, check out the Inhalants website, here.

Do More 24 Campaign

The Alliance for Consumer Education (ACE) is participating in the United Way Do More 24 Campaign.  It is an online, 24 hour fundraising campaign meant to help non-profits raise money to support their programs.

Please consider helping ACE and giving to help support our programs on Inhalant Abuse Prevention, Disease Prevention, and Consumer Education.  Your $12 donation can help us reach out to communities and provide Inhalant Abuse Prevention Kits and other resources to schools and families across the country.


Get Informed. Take Action. Save a Life. 

Visit ACE's Do More 24 Page here!

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.

17 Year Old Girl Killed in Vermont by Huffing Driver

Via Burlington Free Press in Vermont:

On Thursday, September 27^th, a Rutland High School student was killed by a driver under the influence of inhalants. As she climbed into her father’s vehicle after leaving work for the day, the young girl was crushed in between the two cars. The impact left her with multiple serious injuries ultimately leading to her death. Her father was also injured, as well as the two passengers in the offender’s vehicle. Police report finding alcohol and two aerosol cans in the bushes near by the crash, determined to have come from the driver of the speeding car.

The driver is facing one count of manslaughter, and “three counts of grossly negligent operation of a motor vehicle with serious bodily injury.” The arraignment will take place on Friday, September 28^th.

There has been an outpouring of support from the Rutland High School community, from school administrators, parents, and students alike. The day after the crash the students communicated to one another to wear white the next day out of respect for their classmate, in addition to a candle light vigil to be held the same night. School psychologists and teachers have also been asked to assist students with their grief.