Wyoming Psychiatrist Convicted for Huffing and Driving

Via: Powell Tribune

Cody, WY - A local psychiatrist, Matthew Hopkins, has been convicted for driving into a car head-on while under the influence of inhalants and injuring the woman in the other vehicle. A jury convicted him of a felony count of aggravated assault and battery and misdemeanor counts of driving while under the influence of a substance and unlawful use of a toxic substance. Hopkins was sentenced to 18 to 36 months in prison for his offenses. The incident occurred after Hopkins inhaled from a can of dust cleaner and tried driving to his office only to pass out at the wheel and drift into the other lane hitting the other car.

Close friends of Hopkins asked for no prison time and instead mandatory rehabilitation but the Deputy Attorney asked for six to eight years since this is not Hopkins first relapse with substance abuse. In 2003, his medical license was suspended in New Hampshire after he was found writing himself prescriptions. From November 2011 to April 2012, his license was suspended in Wyoming for noncompliance with his monitoring program. All of Hopkins license restrictions were removed in 2015 but he began to relapse publicly in later 2016 after the death of his father. In November of 2016, Hopkins was arrested after he clipped a car in a parking lot and drove off. Police believed him to be under the influence but lacked evidence to prove it so he was awaiting trial. In June 2017, he fell off his bike and police officers found his blood alcohol to be more than twice the legal limit.

Due to his long history of substance abuse the judge and jury felt that more than rehabilitation was required for Hopkins. They said that he was very smart and new the dangers of huffing but made the choice to drive regardless. Hopkins relinquished his medical license and will most likely never practice again.

Oklahoma City Council Proposes to Ban Selling Spray Paint to Minors

Via: Tulsa World

Tulsa, OK - The Tulsa City Council proposed an ordinance that would ban minors from purchasing or possessing aerosol spray paint, spray fabric dye, and spray metal coating. This ordinance aims to combat two major issues with minors in the city, huffing and graffiti. In Tulsa, the city councilors have found that minors are most often the ones huffing or doing graffiti. The ordinance aims to only curb the misuse of spray paint so minors would be able to purchase them for school projects or other art endeavors only with the company of a parent, guardian, employer, or teacher. The penalty is $200 for minors who purchase or posses spray paint and $200 to any business that sells to them. City councilors support the ordinance but worry how it will effect criminal records of minors, especially since it is an expensive and long process to expunge a record. They also worry if it will burden small businesses.

Michigan Man Huffs Before Hit-and-Run

Via: 9 and 10 News

Alpena, MI - A man has been accused of huffing before driving and hitting a person. Police were called to the scene and eventually found him and arrested him. Authorities are now using the incident to educate the public on the dangers of inhalant abuse and urging business owners to be mindful of large purchases of items that can be inhaled such as air dusters and aerosols.

Pennsylvania Man Arrested Twice in a Day for Huffing

Via: The Times-Tribune

Scranton, PA - A man was arrested twice in a day for huffing. The first time police found him unconscious in the grass outside of a local Sam's Club holding a can of air duster. When he woke up police asked him why he was in the grass and he responded "because I'm high." He was then arrested and released later that day, only to go to and purchase more air duster and roll in grass in a different location. Police then arrested him again.

Florida Man Overdoses From Huffing

Via: TC Palm

Vero Beach, FL - A 36-year-old man was found dead in his car after police responded to reports of a man unconscious in his car. Employees of the near by store checked on him throughout the day and decided to call 911 but he was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy is still needed to determine the exact cause of death police believe it was an overdose due to huffing. Police found aerosol cans in his car and in 2015 the man was arrested for inhaling a chemical substance.

Washington Man Arrested for Huffing

Via: The Chronicle 

Rochester, WA - A man was arrested for huffing canned air after police responded to reports of a man taking hits from the can and appearing inebriated.

Florida Man Arrested for Huffing and Driving

Via: News 4 JAX

Gainsville, FL - A 33-year-old man was arrested for huffing and driving after officials found him slumped over the wheel of his car while holding a can of air duster. Officials knocked on the window of his car but the man proceeded to wake up, inhale from the can, and drive off before he hit two vehicles, a mailbox and finally came to a stop. They were then able to arrest him for property damage, driving without a license, inhaling harmful chemicals and attempting to flee police. 

Indiana Man Killed from Driving and Huffing

Via: Fox 59

Howard County, IN - In early May, a 27-year-old man was killed after driving into oncoming traffic and hitting a semi before being ejected from the car. Officers found a can of computer duster in the victims car but the recent coroner's report determined that there was 1,1-Difluoroethane, a chemical found in most computer cleaners, in his system.

Utah Man Hits Gas Pump While Driving and Huffing

Via: St. George News

St. George, UT - A man was arrested after hitting a gas pump causing an explosion and fleeing the scene. After eye-witness reports determined the location of the driver, police arrested him. Luckily due to joint law enforcement and fire department forces there were no injuries.

Man charged with vehicular homicide after huffing duster

Via: Pensacola News Journal

Pensacola, FL: Man charged with vehicular homicide after huffing a can of aerosol duster could spend 9+ years in prison.

Wagga’s Historic Rail Gatehouse trashed by huffing teenager

Via: The Daily Advertiser

Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia: Wagga’s Gatehouse is deteriorated rapidly after a string of school children set fire to the building after using it as a location to huff aerosol deodorant. 

"Understanding Adolescent Inhalant Use" A Key Takeaways

A new SAMHSA study “Understanding Adolescent Inhalant Use” by Rachel N. Lipari, Ph.D. discusses current trends in inhalant abuse. This report explores inhalant abuse trends among adolescents between the ages of 12-17 collected from The National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Of the 1.8 million people who reported abusing inhalants in the past year to get high, 684,000 were adolescents between the ages of 12-17 with use decreasing in age. The entire report can be found here. Key findings include:

·       Felt-tip pens/markers or magic markers were the top reported type of inhalant used to get high 6.7% with glue, shoe polish, or toluene coming in second and spray paints in third.

·       Female adolescents reported higher usage of inhalants compared to male adolescents (3.2% vs. 2.3%)

·       Adolescents of all races/ethnicities, across the United States are vulnerable to inhalant abuse

·       There were no statistically significant differences in the percentage of inhalant abuse depending on geographical location

Although only 684,000 adolescents reported using inhalants to get high, this report highlights the continued need to educate parents, teachers, and teens about the risks of inhalant abuse. To learn more visit: www.inhalant.org

The Dangers of Inhalant Abuse

Via: Pageland Progressive Journal 

Chesterfield County, Virginia: Sharon Sweatt, member of the Chesterfield County Coordinating Council, warns of the dangers of inhalant abuse including but not limited to permanent brain, heart, blood, kidney, or liver damage, seizures, heart attacks, and even death.

Woman Dies from Huffing

via News-Herald

A couple had been huffing duster inside a store when they fell unconscious. The man awoke and realized his girlfriend was unconscious. The woman died from overdosing on inhalants.

Over 50 aerosol cans were found in the car that were reportedly used over an extended period of time. The woman had been arrested previously for huffing duster.

Man Arrested for Huffing Two Days Straight

via nrtoday.com

Oregon man was caught by police huffing duster for the second day straight. The 44-year-old was arrested on suspicion of unlawful possession of inhalants. The day before, the man had been caught by police with duster cans surrounding him.

Unconscious Man Found in Possession of Aerosol Cans

via nrtoday.com

An Oregon man was found unconscious by police with several cans of duster surrounding him. The 44-year-old was awoken by police and released on suspension of unlawful possession of inhalants.

Woman Accused of Huffing While Driving with a Child

via www.gastongazette.com

In North Carolina a woman was arrested for driving and huffing duster with a child in the vehicle. Police were called by witnesses who said people appeared to be unconscious while a child was crying. The woman has been charged with possession of substances, inhaling fumes for purpose of causing intoxication and two counts of misdemeanor child abuse.

Man Crashes into a Garage after Huffing

via www.chroniclet.com

A man in Ohio faces charges of driving under the influence and operation without being in reasonable control of a vehicle after crashing into a garage. The 44-year-old was huffing while driving and caused a significant amount of damage. The man seemed out of it and didn't realize what he had done. It's unclear what substance he was huffing.

Man Huffing Found Passed Out Behind the Wheel

via www.nbc-2.com

A Florida man was found passed out in his car with smoke pouring out of the hood. The man was huffing keyboard cleaner while driving and caused a scene. The car was in neutral, causing the engine to burn out. The man was taken to the hospital. No charges have been made as of yet.

Man Huffs Gas in Family's Basement

via thestarpress.com

Indiana police responded to a call at a family home where witnesses said they smelled gasoline coming from their basement. The family had to briefly evacuate the home while police located the man in a cubby hole behind shelves with three containers of gasoline, two of them were empty. The homeowner had a protective order against the 44-year-old intruder. Firefighters came to the scene to ventilate the house. The man has been charged with disorderly conduct, driving while intoxicated, trespassing and receiving stolen property.