Texas Man Arrested for Huffing--Refused Medical Treatment

via KBTX 3

A Texas man as arrested after crashing his car while under the influence of inhalants. Police found the car in a ditch and the man inhaling a can of duster. He refused medical attention before he was arrested for being under the influence of inhalants and for being a danger to himself and others.

Man Forces Sexual Abuse Victim to Huff Fly Spray

A man in Rotorua is accused of forcing his 13-year-old victim to huff fly spray before sexually assaulting her.

The man plead not guilty to sexually violating the girl in her own home.

The victim reports after many attempts by the aggressor to try to get her to inhale the spray, she finally gave in.

The victim reports feeling dazed after inhaling the substance and at that time the man sexually abused her.

The case is still on trial.

Via rotoradailypost.co.nz in Rotorua, New Zealand

Man Huffs, Hits Guardrails, Crashes Into House

A man who admitted to using inhalants with several duster cans in his vehicle was arrested yesterday in Springfield, Missouri.

Around 4:30 PM, the unnamed driver "hit guardrails before crossing into oncoming traffic, hitting fences and then a house", say witnesses.

Trooper Scott Mease of the Missouri Highway Patrol claims that "he definitely damaged two properties. Extensive damage. Looks like it's been moved off the foundation a little bit and the car did penetrate all the way into the house. It's pretty bad."

Luckily, no one inside the house was injured and the driver only suffered a broken leg. No charges have been filed yet but there is a possibility that he will be looking at a DWI.

Story from OzarksFirst.com.

Glue Addiction in South Africa

More stories about South African inhalant abuse have been finding their way into the media, with the latest one being in iol.co.za, an online news source for South Africa.

The author paints a vivid picture of a child with an addiction to glue, and a few coins are "all it costs to buy a bottle of viscous orange glue from an "auntie" who makes her living peddling deformity and death as though she were a legitimate businesswoman."

There are also quotes from children who use glue as an escape:

"My mother threw me away when I was a baby. I was found by social welfare, but there was no one who loved me. They put me with a foster mother, but she only took children for the grant. I ran to the streets when I was nine years old.

The glue helps me when I am feeling sad that my mother did not want her own child. When I have some money I go to the aunties with the glue. They buy big drums and then put it in the bottles. They come on the taxis with the glue. The police do not worry because you can buy glue if you like. It is not against the law." - Siphiso, 15.

In South Africa, glue is the most abused inhalant, with three main varieties:

"Neoprene, SS Neoprene and an unnamed, dark orange glue that is the most toxic. All three have a high level of a neurotoxic chemical called toluene. When inhaled, usually from a small glass bottle, often concealed in an empty milk or cold drink carton, the fumes are highly addictive, and the effects nearly instantaneous."

There are no regulations on the sale or abuse of glue. Joseph Nandwa, a Undungu field officer, says that "anyone who sells an inhalant to a minor, knowing that it will be abused, is subject to three years in prison. But there has not been a single recorded arrest."

One particularly sad section reads as follows:

"David followed the routine practised by thousands of homeless children in Nairobi each day. He took out a handkerchief, dipped it into a tin of paint thinner, put it to his nose and inhaled deeply.

Asked what he was doing, David replied: "Dinner". David was sniffing paint-thinner to suppress his hunger and ward off the cold."

Inhalant Use Common in South Africa

Health24.com posted a story the other day that describes the harrowing problems of inhalants in South Africa. The article jumps right into the heart of the subject, beginning by saying that,

"it’s a common sight to see street children sniffing glue from a plastic bag. Just a whiff as you pass by is enough to make you dizzy. Street children are not the only ones sniffing inhalants - it is becoming a dangerous practice among teens of all ages and across social classes."

Then, information about inhalants in the United States was presented:

• 1.1 million teens admitted to using inhalants last year
• 600,000 teens start using inhalants each year
• Teens believe that using inhalants are not as dangerous as taking illegal drugs

Although the reported statistics on inhalant abuse in South Africa are low, the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence believe this to be because many of the users are 'off the grid', being homeless or not willing to go to a treatment center for help.

Carry Bekker of the Stepping Stones Addiction Centre calls inhalant abuse "very prevalent amongst street children" and fairly prevalent among the lower socio-economic groups. He also explains that inhalants are mainly used by adolescents and younger.

The article continues to describe the effects of abusing inhalants:

"When the vapours are inhaled, the body becomes starved of oxygen which forces the heart to beat faster to increase blood flow to the brain. The high begins a few seconds after inhalation and can include dizziness, slurred speech, lack of co-ordination, hallucinations and delusions. The high only lasts for a few minutes and users inhale repeatedly to stay high."

In addition, the health hazards are outlined:

• Chronic use can lead to brain damage or nerve damage, damage to the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.
• Extended use can also affect thinking, vision, hearing and movement.
• Sniffing inhalants can also lead to heart failure and death. Heart failure is caused by chemicals interfering with the heart’s regulating system, which could cause the heart to stop beating.
• High concentrations of inhalants also cause death from asphyxiation, suffocation, convulsions, seizure, coma, choking or fatal injury from accidents.

The effects of specific inhalants:

• Toulene – found in spray paint, glue, nail polish - can cause hearing loss, spinal cord or brain damage and liver and kidney failure.
• Trichloroethylene – found in correction and cleaning fluids - can cause hearing loss and liver and kidney failure.
• Hexane – found in glue and petrol - can cause limb spasm and liver and kidney failure.
• Nitrous oxide – found in whipped cream dispensers and gas cylinders - can cause limb spasm and blackouts.
• Benzene – found in petrol - can cause bone marrow damage.

The article also describes Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrom (SSDS):

"It is the most common cause of death among regular inhalant abusers. A victim may be trying it for the first time, or could be a frequent user. According to studies 22% of inhalant abusers who die of SSDS are first-time users.

SSDS happens when a user gets surprised or shocked while sniffing or huffing. This often happens when the user is caught sniffing. An exciting or scary hallucination can also trigger SSDS. When the user is surprised or shocked, a sudden flow of epinephrine (adrenaline) is released. Epinephrine helps to regulate the functions of the body such as the heart rate.

When a person is highly stimulated by fear or a confrontation, further amounts of epinephrine are released into the bloodstream to prepare the body for action. Blood pressure, heart rate and cardiac activity increases. Because of the presence of inhalants in the body, the heart muscle is more sensitive to epinephrine, and when it reaches the heart, it suffers an irregular heart beat (arrhythmia). Within seconds the user can be killed."

How can you help?

• Speak about the dangers of inhalant abuse to your child
• Be aware of products that can be abused
• Keep an eye on all potentially dangerous products in your home
• If you suspect someone is abusing inhalants, encourage the person to seek professional help

Refrigerant Theft at Ultimate Omelet House

WFTV.com of Daytona Beach, Florida warns residents of a "dangerous, potentially deadly crime" that has been occurring in the area - thieves breaking into air conditioning units to huff the refrigerant inside.

Recently, the Ultimate Omelet House had to call repairmen since its air conditioning wasn't functioning correctly. The owner, Dan Byrd, was shocked to find out that the A/C unit had been tampered with to release the refrigerant inside. "Huffing refrigerant was never something that, and I used to be a Daytona Beach cop, you just never heard of that sort of thing," he said.

Replacing the refrigerant will cost over $400.

Tom McGuire, of Flair Air Conditioning, explained that "in the heating and air industry, it's a well-known problem" and that they had problems with refrigerant theft a few years ago.

McGuire also explained the dangers of refrigerant:

"It's going right into their head and they're getting a high that way. If they should happen to sniff the refrigerant liquid, it could kill them by vaporizing their lungs."

In addition, refrigerant "is also under pressure and can explode if you break into pipes, as was done at the restaurant, causing freezer burns and instant frostbite if it makes contact with skin."

Refrigerant theft was the subject of a letter to the editor a few weeks ago.

Blogger Posts About Inhalants After Funeral

My Two Pennies of Denver, Colorado blogged about inhalant abuse last week.

She mentions many statistics related to inhalants, and also other dangers that many aren't aware of:

"Besides sudden cardiac arrest (the most common cause of death from inhalants), huffing can kill quickly in a number of other ways. Motor vehicle accidents, falls, and other traumatic injuries are common and horrible. Others die from suffocation, burns, suicide (from the depression that can follow the high), and from choking – on their own vomit.

When huffing doesn’t kill quickly, it damages the body each time–especially the brain. Huffing can cause memory loss, impaired concentration, hearing loss, loss of
coordination, and permanent brain damage. Chronic use can cause permanent heart,
lung, liver, and kidney damage as well."

As a warning to parents, she explains that,

"Most huffing takes place with friends (although kids who sniff correction fluid in class when their teachers turn away are not uncommon). Be observant of your child and his or her friends.

Inhalants gradually leave the body for 2 weeks following huffing–mostly through exhaling. The characteristic odor is the biggest clue. Be on the lookout for breath or clothing that smells like chemicals. Look for clothing stains. Watch for spots or sores around the mouth.

Nausea, lack of appetite, weight loss, nervousness, restlessness, and outbursts of anger can all be signs of inhalant abuse. A drunk, dazed, or glassy-eyed appearance
might mean your child is abusing inhalants right now."

She also pleads with parents to sit down and discuss inhalant abuse with their children early, because,

"Preventing huffing is far better than trying to treat an inhalant addiction. Talking with your child about it is more powerful than anything else (NIDA Research Monograph, 1988;85:8–29).

Start talking with your child about it now. Although huffing peaks between the ages of 12 and 15 years, it often starts “innocently” in children only 6 to 8 years old
(Pediatrics, 1996;97:3).

Literally thousands of easily available substances can be inhaled, so you can’t keep your child away from them. You can, however, educate and inspire."

The author posted this after attending a funeral for a 20-year-old who accidentally died after huffing. She writes,

"The pain it caused his family and friends was enormous and the loss of the one they loved will haunt them forever. This is a real, dangerous problem. Anyone, even a first time user, can die."

Parent Warns About Accessible Drugs

William Brigham of Scotts Valley, California wrote an article in the Press Banner that touches on several drugs that are easily available to kids - including inhalants.

He begins by saying,

"When mention is made of teen drug use, substances like marijuana, ecstasy and methamphetamine are often what come to mind. But the other drugs that are not discussed enough are those found in your home, within easy reach of young people."

He then continues by explaining inhalants, and that "many such substances are available to young people, and they provide effects similar to alcohol: an initial rush followed by disinhibition, slurred speech and stupor, depending on how much was used."

Also mentioned are the problems that can be caused:

"Organ damage from sniffing solvents can be quite serious, including harm to the heart, brain, kidneys, lung or liver. More than 2 million teens have used inhalants, and while most will grow out of that particular drug use, some will continue and incur considerable physical harm."

Mr. Brigham is also an administrator of the NFL Program for Substances of Abuse.

Even More Huffing and Driving

There seems to be a rash of these lately - is it the springtime weather?

18-year-old Jason Lee Ward from Huntingburg, IN was arrested last Wednesday after police found him and his car in a resident's backyard. Officers found him "confused and disoriented".

Police claim that Ward "had been driving on Sycamore Street when he struck a parked truck. He then went past a dead end sign, stopping in a grove of trees in a backyard."

They believe that he had been abusing inhalants before the crash.

He is facing unknown charges and is currently being held in the Dubois County Security Center.

Reported by TriStateHomepage.com.

Teenagers Not Charged in Crash

On January 15th, 18-year-old Coty Miller crashed his car with three other teenagers into the front of a karate school in Gettysburg, PA. Originally, Brittany Hollinger, the prosecution's only witness, had told police that Coty bought the computer duster at a Wal-Mart and he and two others in the car then inhaled the contents. One of the passengers, Corwin Dillon, was her boyfriend at the time.

However, at a preliminary hearing as well as a later juvenile hearing, she recanted her story and said that she did not see the other passengers inhaling the duster. She said that she didn't even know what 'doing duster' meant, although the phrase was used in her handwritten account of the accident.

Adams County Assistant District Attorney Brian Sinnett said that even if she did testify to seeing the others huffing, it wouldn't matter because "the hospital didn't run the appropriate test to identify any substances that might have appeared in Miller's or Dillon's blood. "

Fred Davis also witnessed the accident. He claimed that he saw "Miller's car swerving around other vehicles on York Street before the accident. The driver, Miller, had his hands on the wheel, his eyes open, and that he and the front-seat passenger, Billings, were laughing."

Brittany Hollinger was injured in the crash, breaking two vertebrae in her back as well as cutting and bruising her head and hands.

Miller's charges originally included aggrevated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, DUI, inhaling toxic substances, corruption of minors, driving on the left side of the road, and three counts of reckless endangerment.

All were dropped except for the counts of reckless endangerment.

Will testing for inhalants be a problem for DWIs in the future? Inhalants dissipate rapidly from the bloodstream, and currently they can only be detected if blood is taken immediately after huffing and then frozen.

How much circumstantial evidence will be enough for an officer to determine whether or not a suspect is high from inhalants? Possible signs are a chemical smell on the suspect's person or vehicle, empty aerosol cans, or acting giddy or dizzy. It may become difficult to prosecute in these kinds of cases when there are no clear-cut tests for inhalants.

Story from The Evening Sun.

More Huffing, More Driving

In South Dakota, a 25-year old man abused computer duster (or, incorrectly, 'compressed air') and crashed his vehicle into several others.

Maconnell Baker is believed to have inhaled the duster as he was driving. Lieutenant James Johns, from the Rapid City Police Department, called it "a classic example of a 'huffing' or 'dusting' crash."

Baker struck a Jeep Cherokee travelling in the same direction, causing it to spin. He then hit the curb and drove on the sidewalk for awhile until he hit the side of a Honda Accord, whose driver was waiting to turn at an intersection.

He then ran into a parked motorcycle, owned by a nearby crossing guard who was helping children across the street as Baker drove out of control. According to the guard, none of the children were hurt, and that they were "very fortunate that it wasn't worse than it was."

The driver of the Accord was taken to the hospital and last reported in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.

The passenger in the Accord, a two-year-old, was not hurt.

The driver of the Cherokee was not hurt.

Baker was treated and released. He faces charges of driving under the influence and vehicular battery.

According to the article,

"This is not the first time Rapid City police have dealt with incidents allegedly involving huffing. A Rapid City teen was arrested Dec. 17 after crashing his vehicle into electrical boxes near the Rapid City Swim Center on Milwaukee Street. Police said they believed the 17-year-old was huffing compressed air shortly before the crash. He was arrested for driving under the influence and several other charges. At the time of the accident, police said it was the fourth crash in the past two months involving the abuse of compressed air."

There was another incident in addition to the crashes due to inhalant abuse - three months ago, a house caught on fire in Rapid City after the inhabitants were inhaling paint fumes.

Crash article from The Rapid City Journal.

Inhalant Abuser Hits Barrier With Car, Injures Eight

The St. Tammany News reported last week that an 18-year-old driver was abusing computer duster before causing a wreck involving three cars and eight people. Adrian Adels was driving on Highway 190 in Louisiana at 7:00 PM and misjudged the distance to the exit, hitting two other cars.

According to Covington Police Lieutenant Jack West, his vehicle "went through the curb dividing the highway, sending 1- and 2-foot chucks of concrete flying into the two other vehicles. He finally came to a stop on a steel culvert that hooked the undercarriage of his car."

The eight people involved were treated in nearby hospitals. One of the cars held a mother, father, and their small child. Fortunately, everyone was released with only minor to moderate injuries.

People on the highway who witnessed the accident "reported Adels was traveling at a high rate of speed and was driving erratically."

The passengers in Adels' car said that they had been abusing the computer duster while Adels was driving. Lt. West found two cans in the car along with two plastic bags.

Charges against Adels are pending and include driving while intoxicated as well as negligent injury. Lt. West did not know why Adels had not been charged yet.

Faithful readers of the blog will notice both the frequency of driving while abusing inhalants as well as the inhalant of choice - computer dusters, almost 100% of the time.

Why is this? Why are people huffing dust remover while driving but ignoring other inhalants? It could be that for every person that is found abusing inhalants and driving, there are fifty who are 'dusting' at home or with friends and not getting caught.

Huffing Dust Remover in Fort Myers

In Fort Myers, Florida, a woman was spotted inhaling dust remover by police officers and EMS paramedics while sitting in her car in a Wal-Mart parking lot.

Sgt. Larry King, spokesman for the Lee County Sheriff, said that "It was quite obvious when he saw her huffing the aerosol from the can what was taking place."

The woman then slumped over in her seat and the deputy attempted to unlock the car door. When that failed, he broke the passenger window to extract her from the vehicle. She was sent to the hospital and then charged with inhaling dangerous chemicals.

She was "not trying to kill herself", but instead "going through a rough time and was just trying to clear her mind for a few minutes."

Article from WINKnews.com.

Driving Under the Influence in Arkansas

A 17-year-old from Gravette, Arkansas was arrested this past Tuesday after inhaling dust remover and driving. He was driving at 10:00 in the morning when his car ran into a ditch at the side of the road, hit a sewer, and flipped over. It then collided with the back of a National Home Center truck.

Both the driver and his passenger were taken to Northwest Medical Center for minor injuries. The driver of the truck was not hurt.

The 17-year-old had inhaled dust remover prior to driving, and was arrested for driving under the influence, careless and prohibited driving, and not wearing a seat belt.

Story from NWAnews.com.

Man Steals Paint, Hannah Montana Camera

The Dayton Daily News' police blotter showed an interesting case this past weekend, after officers were called to a Meijer grocery store in Englewood, Ohio. A man had resisted a loss prevention officer who "asked why the subject had a can of spray paint and a Hannah Montana video camera and whether he paid for the items." The man refused to answer and fled the store.

After being apprehended, he complained of lightheadedness and having difficulty breathing, so a medic was called.

Earlier that day he had been caught trespassing on Motel 6 property and huffing paint.

After arriving at the hospital, he was served with a summons for theft, trespass, and disorderly conduct/public intoxication.

What to Look for in Your Teen

The Aristocrats! blog just featured "Is My Teenager Using Drugs - the Warning Signs" which highlights inhalant abuse as well as other common drug cover-ups. This is a good read for parents of any teenager. Here are a sample of what to look for in your child, from their post:

"Changes in friends- Sudden distancing from long time healthy relationships toward new and otherwise strange friends. Older crowds or less motivated peers can indicate a move toward a drug related crowd. A clear indicator is a drastic change in playgrounds and playmates, often toward clearly less desirable people and places. Sudden interest in a church youth group or joining marching band is obviously not of concern. Getting busted at a RAVE is.

Increased secrecy about possessions or activities. Hiding objects or unusual secret activities often indicate drug use. Some degree of modesty is always present in teens with regard to things like crushes, friend dilemmas, or other normal behaviors. Hiding things is a different matter. Locks on bedroom doors or boxes indicate that a teen is hiding something, and that something is probably bad.

Evidence of use of inhalant products (such as hairspray, nail polish, correction fluid, common household products); Rags and paper bags are sometimes used as accessories. There have been cases of Teens huffing as many as 50 cans of household chemicals such as air freshener a month. Huffing produces a very short but damaging high which needs immediate re-use to continue. Huffing of common items is almost always a gateway to broader drug experimentation."

Here is a list of more inhalant-specific warning signs.

Media Response to Students Huffing on Bus

CBS News 9 of Greenville, North Carolina has recently posted an article called, "Teens Caught Huffing: Why It's So Dangerous" in response to a March 26th incident at Richland High School.

Two 16-year-old students were ill on the school bus going home, and after they were dropped off another student told the bus driver that the two were inhaling from a can of computer duster. They were cited the following day for "inhaling toxic fumes and possession of a toxic substance."

The two students were not physically harmed by inhaling, but Dr. Electra Martin of a nearby hospital warns that,

"People can have brain damage, long lasting brain damage and it can even lead to death. It can cause heart arrhythmia which can cause death immediately."

She also recommends that parents look for "paint on hands and face. Clothes that aren't accounted for. If you have a runny nose. Sores around the mouth and nose."

This story follows one from last week; "Three Girls Huff on Bus, Become Ill". Perhaps it would be a good idea to include bus drivers in initiatives to raise awareness with educators and parents - many probably do not recognize the dangers of inhalant abuse or how to spot potential indicators: abusable products, side effects, or behaviors of students high on inhalants.

Inhalant User Locked Out of Residence by Wife

The Northwest Florida Daily News ran a story last week about a 45-year-old man who had been kicked out of a trailer in Crestview, Florida. At around 9:00 PM on the 13th, police responded to a call reporting a 'suspicious incident'.

When they arrived, according to the arrest report, the man was

"banging on the door to a camper unit, saying, 'Open the door and let me in.' The officer got out of his car and went to talk to the man. The man said his wife was drunk and would not allow him in the camper and it was his property."

The wife told the officers that the trailer was her sister's and that "she didn’t want her husband inside because he had been “huffing” and she didn’t want him around her."

She also said that her husband had been pushing a broom handle through one of the windows and hit her in the ribs. She showed police officers the corresponding mark on her side.

The man was arrested for domestic violence and battery.

Inhalant Use Up in Albany, Georgia

WALB News 10 of Georgia featured a piece on Friday called, 'More kids resort to huffing'. Drug agents in southern Georgia have reported more youths abusing inhalants.

Investigator George Camp describes how easy it is for kids to make:

"Pour a little bit in there. Turn it around. Close it up. Let it sit for a few minutes. Mix it up a little bit so the chemical get in the bag. Open it up, wrap it up, and breathe."

He also says that parents can pick up on the warning signs,

"if you know what to look for. If you see there is a change in mood behavior. If you see there is a change in the way that they dress. The people they hang out with now. That makes a big difference, that should at least ring a bell in your mind as a parent."

The story also describes how

"even innocent items like a Cool Whip can be used, for the aerosol in the can. It's called kiddy dope, because kids as young as eight are doing it, and they can find out all about it on the Internet."

Doctors say many are dying; 22 percent of those who die from huffing are killed the first time they try it."

Grand Island Middle School Congress Meets

On Wednesday, we posted a story about Grand Island, Nebraska's concern about inhalant use in students. One of the responses of the school district to the increasing drug usage in their area was to form a Middle School Youth Congress, comprised of eighty-five middle schoolers who went on a retreat to become better educated in topics such as drug awareness and peer pressure.

The Congress seems to have been a great success. Chuck Matson of the Omaha Police Department explained the difference between using drugs to become healthy versus using them to get high. He especially focued on the abuse of inhalants, and discussed the physical harm that can occur to the body with inhalant use.

He also reminded the students that death can occur the first time that anyone tries inhalants.

Story from the Grand Island Independent.