Youth Inhalant Treatment Center Opens in Canada

Via: Prince Albert Now

Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada - The White Buffalo Youth Inhalant Center has reopened in their new location in the Muskoday First Nation. The center aims to help young girls, ages 12 to 17, with their abuse of inhalants. Both the center and the community members of the Muskoday First Nation are excited for the move to their area as they feel the center will have a positive influence on local youths. The new partnership also emphasizes their new approach to treating substance abuse with holistic medicine. 

After Death, Nunavut Chief Corner Warns that Inhalant Abuse can be Fatal

Via www.nunatsiaqonline.ca

On September 9^th 2015, the Chief Coroner of Nunavut warned listeners about the dangers of huffing. This occurred two days after the death of a local nineteen year old. This young man was pronounced dead at the Pond Inlet Health Centre due to his abuse of inhalants.

In her speech, the coroner described the harm that can come from these actions. Also she called on various organizations to spread awareness about the issue.

Canadian Woman Found Huffing in Yard

Via British Columbia's Terrace Standard News
A woman returned to her home in British Columbia on July 24th to find a woman huffing solvent in her yard while one other person kept a lookout. Both persons left when the woman arrived. Local police are investigating.

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.

Gas Sniffing Plague Continues in St. John's, Canada

via Thetelegram.com

In St. John's, Canada a 13-year-old boy and an 11-year-old boy were both treated for severe leg burns suffered as a result of inhaling gasoline. Inhalant abuse is a growing epidemic in this community, read more in the article above.

Girls Huffing Propane Burned in Explosion

Via CTV Regina in Canada:

Two 13-year olds and a 12 year old girl are recovering after suffering burns in a propane explosion. The girls had been huffing propane in a car in Saskatchewan, Canada when one of them lit a cigarette.

The article notes the explosion “felt like a semi had rumbled by” and that it “blew out the car's windows, and sprayed debris five metres away.” It also quotes a local staff sergeant who remarks he “saw the car. The girls are pretty lucky they weren't hurt worse.”

Canadian Town Ponders What To Do About Inhalant Abuse

From The CBC News (May 17):

"A lot of people believe if you talk about it you're going to make it happen, and that's proven not to be the case," an addiction counselor says rationalizing a reservation's silence about inhalant abuse. Under the cover of night, Canadian police have seen minors sniffing fumes from propane tanks. Less than two weeks ago, a girl was admitted for burns after the gas ignited during a binge. Last month, a 14 year old girl died while sniffing propane fumes.

The resulting picture has caused Southend officials to think hard about their anti-drug responses. Inhalant abuse incidents receded following the fatal sniffing accident, but this is a persistent problem in the Saskatchewan community. "We don't need to hide it," he said. "We are the people that are suffering..."

For now, officials are encouraging a dialogue that starts at home. The addiction counselor recommends a simple, yet oft-skipped stop,"[Talk] with kids about it early enough that they know that certain chemicals were never meant to be in your body."

Middle School Says 'No' to Inhalant Abuse

From the Ottumwa Courier:

"Kids don’t understand the potential deadly consequences this behavior can result in, and it just scares me to death,” said Dan Maeder.

The principal has good reason to fret after two recent inhalant abuse incidents put school officials on high alert. The administration, led by the school's principal, is advocating efforts to educate the student body about the dangers associated with huffing.

While education is key, the principal noted a potential barrier to the administration's efforts- peer pressure. "A lot of kids worry about ‘ratting out’ their friends,” said Maeder. “But in a potentially deadly situation, saving a friend’s life should be the priority."

Inhalant Abuse in Canada

From the Daily Gleaner in Canada:

The article contains an interesting statistic on inhalant use in Canada: “The 2004, Canadian Addiction Survey revealed that 1.3 per cent of Canadians 15 and older reported having used inhalants at least once in their life - a figure that translates into more than 300,000 people.”

In addition, interesting points from Cpl. Jean Guy Bourque of RCMP J Division's synthetic drug operations division. He notes:

• “youth are more likely to use inhalants because they're not old enough to buy liquor or cigarettes.”
• "Even though reports of such incidents aren't widespread in this province, parents should be aware that it could happen and remain alert, said the drug expert. "
• "If they start seeing that these things are happening and they're finding stuff like that in their children's bedrooms, it's going to be a telltale sign and they should have a red flag"

Horses to Help with Inhalant Addiction

From Sarnia Observer in Sarnia, ON, Canada

Very interesting piece about a 45 year-old mother of two who changed careers in order to help troubled children. She and a friend became certified equine assisted facilitators and started Lambton Equine Assisted Learning, where they run childrens’ therapy camps.

Through their program they work with children “brought to them by parents or through referrals from various social service agencies.” Interestingly, the article notes “In West Lorne, a large number of the kids attend an inhalant addiction centre outside London and have arrived from remote communities in the north.”

More information on the program can be found here

Teen Faces Public Intoxication Charge

From The Des Moines Register in Iowa

Last week Iowa State University police found a 13-year-old girl unconscious after she had ‘huffed’ the contents of an aerosol can. Police arrived on the scene after receiving reports of a publically intoxicated teen displaying “unusual behavior” in a residential neighborhood, Wednesday afternoon. Witnesses told police that the girl had passed out prior to their arrival, and had been unconscious for quite some time. Investigators recovered an empty aerosol can from the scene. The teen was taken to a nearby medical center for treatment and will be expected to appear in juvenile court facing charges of “delinquency for public intoxication.”

First Nation Gets First Conviction Under Inhalant Bylaw

From the Sault Star in Sault Ste-Marie, Ontario, Canada

On Monday, a 31year-old woman pleaded guilty to “bringing two 3.78 litre cans of lacquer” into the First Nation community.

This marks the first conviction under a March 2008 bylaw that “prohibits the sale, manufacture, possession and consumption of inhalants in Wabaseemoong First Nation.” The article notes that the bylaw was enacted "to protect the community and the community members against the injurious effects of intoxicating substance abuse."

20 Years Ago in British Columbia

From the Valley Echo in Invermere, BC, Canada:

Inhalant Abuse made it into their notables:

“20 years ago: Solvent abuse was uncovered at Windermere Elementary School. A small number of students had been sniffing gasoline, White Out and other inhalants they could find or steal. School principal Bob Campsall said weekly meetings and counselling sessions with parents were continuing and the school atmosphere had improved since the abuse came to light in December.”

Inhalant Use Rises in Canada

From the Prince Albert Daily Herald in Saskatchewan,Canada:

The community in Prince Albert is seeing an increase in the number of individuals using inhalants.

At one presentation, “nearly every student knew someone who was currently using inhalants or had tried them.” The article also notes, “ one student described how he began experimenting with aerosols - as a child he saw what his mom was doing and wanted to try it.”

Butane Abuse in Canada

From the Bugle-Observer in New Brunswick, Canada:

Town residents are concerned that butane is being used as an inhalant in their community.

Last weekend, a resident found the items on a nature trail and called the authorities. A town employee responded and found “13 used butane containers, a steel bowl and a couple of pipes.”

The article notes, “Butane gas is used as a fuel for cooking and camping, but, in recent years, it has become prominent among the youth, using it as an inhalant to get high or reach an euphoric state.”

The recreation director warned, “It is not great stuff to be dealing with. If it is being inhaled, it can do permanent damage to a young person or an adult. It is a gas, and you could be quickly overcome by it,"

He cautioned, “It is also dangerous to play with, The pipes could have been for shooting fire through them, (but) the flame could get bottled up in the pipe and pushed back on you, and you would be engulfed in flames in no time."

The mayor expressed concern noting the seriousness of the issue. “That is scary stuff.” She remarked.

Tackling Driving Under the Influence in Canada

From Canoe.ca in Ontario:

Last July federal legislation “cleared the way for police to begin targeting drug-impaired drivers.”

Four new “four drug-recognition experts, (DREs) will hit the streets in checkstops or being summoned by police who suspect drivers might be high.” The individuals will be “subjected to a 12-step evaluation process” and inhalants are included in the influence factors.

Information Sharing Session on Indigenous Youth/Residential Solvent Abuse Treatment in Canada

You are invited to join an information session offered by Debra Dell of the Youth Solvent Addiction Committee on Indigenous youth residential solvent abuse treatment in Canada.

Between November 26 and December 10, 2008, you will be able to view a 40-minute on-line presentation covering a brief history of solvent abuse among Indigenous youth in Canada and an innovative residential treatment response.Following the presentation, on December 11, 2008, from 2:00-4:00 pm CST, the presenter will be available along with a group of front-line solvent abuse treatment providers to answer any questions in an on-line internet format.

To participate, you will need to register at the NIDA International Virtual Collaboratory (NIVC) www.nivc.perpich.com and select the tab 'VSA group' upon your registration.

On December 11, 2008 you may submit questions by e-mailing vsa@nivc.perpich.com Please note that in order to be a part of the on-line discussion you must be registered on NIVC.

If you are not able to participate on December 11, 2008, but you are interested in viewing the complete dialogue, you can access it the following day on the NVIC website.

This project is funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada International Opportunities Development Grant, and is a collaborative initiative of the University of Saskatchewan, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the National Institute on Drug Abuse International Program, the National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, the Youth Solvent Addiction Committee, and researchers in Canada, Mexico, the United States, and Australia.

The aim of this project is to identify an international collaborative research program specific to the treatment of and healing from solvent abuse for Indigenous youth. For more information on the research project or to potentially participate, please contact the principle Investigator, Dr. Colleen Anne Dell, at colleen.dell@usask.ca or 1-(306)-966-5912

New Spot Checks on Reserve

From the Daily Miner and News in Ontario, Canada:

In an increased effort to combat substance abuse on the reserve, the band council has established spot checks.

Detachment Commander Hardy noted that they “have substance abuse problems and one of the ones that were identified was lacquer inhalant, solvent, and it’s been ongoing for years.”

The article states, “After identifying the problem, band council consulted with Indian Affairs and private lawyers to set up the check on vehicles entering the community, similar to northern reserves Cat Lake and Big Trout Lake. “

Canadian Inhalant Treatment Centre Expands Services

From Sturgeon Lake Reserve in Canada:

The White Buffalo Youth Inhalant Treatment Centre is expanding its addiction services. The Centre was established in 1996 and is located in northern Saskatchewan.

It "is a nationally recognized residential facility that treats youth who have addictions to solvents. Located on Sturgeon Lake First Nation, the centre is open to youth 12 to 17"

Addiction and Inhalants

From the Sunshine Coast's Health Center Blog:

Daniel Jordan raises some interesting questions in his summary of an addictions presentation by
Dr. Carlton Erickson, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology, and director of the Addiction Science & Research Center in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Texas at Austin.

What are your perspectives or thoughts on his following two points?

1. Inhalants and Addiction:
"Dr. Erickson calls the likelihood that a person will become dependent on a drug its “dependence liability.” Some drugs have a dependence liability while others do not.

The criteria for dependence liability is how it acts on the mesolimbic dopamine system. Caffeine, antidepressants, and newer anti-seizure medications do not have dependence liability. However, some drugs do and the following chart shows that a certain percentage of people (depending on the drug) will become dependent *:

Drug / Percentage of People Who Become Dependent
Nicotine - 32%, Heroin - 23%, Cocaine - 17%, Alcohol - 15%, Stimulants - 11%, Cannabis - 9%, Sedatives - 9%, Psychedelics - 5%, Inhalants - 4%.

Source: Anthony, J.C., Warner, L.A., & Kessler, R.C., (1994). Comparative epidemiology of dependence on tobacco, alcohol, controlled substances, and inhalants: Basic findings from the national comorbidity survey. Experimental & Clinical Psychopharmacology, 2, 244-268."

2. Use the term "Abuse" in Inhalant Abuse:
"I was particularly fascinated by Dr. Erickson’s claim that many of the words, or terminology, that the general public and the treatment field use to describe drinking and drugging are leading to continued prejudice and discrimination in North American culture. This stigmatizing, Dr. Erickson argues, is a big part of why governments are not providing adequate funding for addiction research, prevention, and education

"Abuse” is a Perjorative Term and Should be Retired. In his book, The Science of Addiction, Dr. Erickson calls the term “abuse” the number 1 myth that prevails in the treatment field or in the minds of the public. The word abuse * is an inappropriate term for several reasons, such as:

• the term being used, for centuries, as a morally sinful act such as child abuse, sexual abuse, spousal abuse
• the implication that alcohol, an object, is being abused by someone just like a child is being abused by someone (a preferred term in Europe is misuse)
• the use of the term substance abuse does not distinguish between voluntary use (”misuse”) and uncontrolled use (”dependence”) similar to the generalized use of the term “addiction”

"By continuing to refer to people as drug, alcohol, or substance abusers, according to Bill White *, “misstates the nature of their condition and calls for their social rejection, sequestration, and punishment.”