Informative article on the dangers of huffing

Via The Billings Gazette

Billings, MT: This article from The Billings Gazette focuses on the hazards of huffing and inhalant abuse. It provides statistics as well as information regarding the various forms of inhalants. The article stresses the importance of open and honest conversation between parents and teens to help prevent huffing.

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.

Drugs Charities Call Upon Party Leaders to Take Action Against Legal Highs

Via World Net Daily News

This article summarizes the recent London meeting of four drug charities: Legal highs awareness charity, Angelus, Northamptonshire-based charity, and Solve It. The charities called upon party leaders to act against the dangers of legal highs. 

Their joint report "Legal Highs: An Action Plan for Change”, published June 26^th, sets out how Departments should be coordinating efforts on education, prevention, and information sharing. 

The full report can be read here.

Substantial Increase in Inhalant Use Among Children in India

Via Press Information Bureau in India

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) plans to bring awareness to the problem of inhalant abuse by children. The Commission visited five NGOs “to review the prevention, reduction and rehabilitation strategies adopted by the organizations for those suffering from different kinds of addiction.”

According to a study from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, the use of “volatile solvents” among children has increased substantially – from 31.0 % in 2008 to 40.5% in 2009.

BSAS Conference Alert!

Have you wanted to learn more about preventing inhalant use but lacked the opportunity? On Wednesday May 5, 2010, "You Can Make a Difference: Preventing & Treating Inhalant Abuse" will answer this and many other questions. Focused on proactive responses, the event welcomes everyone from health services professionals to school teachers
to learn how to identify likely users, resources, and intervention approaches.

The event, hosted at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, is sponsored the Massachusetts Bureau for Substance Abuse Services. Interested parties must register prior to the April 30 deadline. You can find more information and register here.

Successful Presentation in Florida!

Last week Adam Long coordinated an inhalant abuse prevention session at his church in Florida. From his summary below, sounds like it was a great success!! Keep up the tremendous work, Adam!

Hope you’re all doing well. Just wanted to quickly send an update out and let you know what’s going on. Last Wednesday night (June 3rd, 2009) Me, My Mother, and Both my pastors hosted an Inhalant Awareness night at my church in Clearwater, FL.

We had 180 Kids from middle to high school age and about 40 parents that attended. We passed out literature and contracts for kids and parents to sign. Our presentation lasted about 28 minutes and was a total success.

We had parents and kids come up afterward and talk with us about how they never knew, or about how they knew about it but didn’t know it was that dangerous. It was so amazing to know that this message was received.

I have a DVD video of the full presentation and there’s the promotional video that I made just to send out to different churches, organizations. You can view it here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeTWib1ULUI

As always feel free to contact me anytime with news or updates via my email address alongcoh@yahoo.com. thank you so much and God Bless. In Christ- Adam Long

Great Advice from the Aion Source Forum

From an April 2009 posting:

"If you've ever thought about inhaling an aerosol can for the high you can get, DON'T.

For the past 3 weeks I've been dealing with an individual exclusively at work who was doing so. In three weeks I have literally watched his intelligence been cut in half, his speech is now slurred, and tonight he got sent to jail and is already facing two felonies and countless misdemeanors. Even heroin users I have had to deal with seem much better off than him."

Texas Elementary School Celebrates Red Ribbon Week

From Ennis Daily News in Texas:

In recognition of drug-free month and Red Ribbon Week, “Ennis Independent School District Police Chief Ross Jones spoke to Bowie Elementary students Monday about the importance of staying drug free.”

Jones warned the students about inhalants and said, “We need them to love themselves. When they do that they know not to put anything in their body that would hurt them.”

For the week, each day had a creative theme to promote being drug-free.

• On Monday, drug-free bracelets were distributed and students signed drug free pledge cards
• On Tuesday, it was “Trash out Drugs” where students helped support the new recycling program at the school.
• Wednesday was “plant the promise and stomp out drugs.” Students wore sunglasses and boots and planted wildflowers in designated areas.
• On Thursday, students will ““sock it to drugs” by wearing silly socks and attending a motivational assembly.
• Friday is “Hugs not Drugs” day, with students bringing stuffed animals to school.

Inhalants Included in Police Talk

Kids at a school in Orillia, Canada were taught about inhalants during an anti-drug and gang demonstration last week.

After learning about gang violence, 7th and 8th graders watched a video that began by talking about marijuana and tobacco, but led into stimulants, pills, performance-enhancing drugs, and inhalants.

An 8th grader, Angelique Garner, expressed surprise over some of the information she learned. "It's pretty crazy to know you can die from your first take of (an inhalant). I can't imagine getting involved with that."

The students also watched videos that featured the friends and family members of drug users who had died as a result of their addictions, as well as former users themselves.

The program will be moving on to a different high school next week. Police expect 450 students to attend.

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

Is Your Child in Trouble?

This article from the American Chronicle by Genae-Valecia Hinesman lists and details several signs that parents should watch out for, as they may indicate problems in your child's life. Many of these signals are also applicable for inhalant abuse, but this is a great article to read for any parent.

1. Erratic Behavior

"As young people carve out their own individuality separate from that of their parents´, and seek an answer to the proverbial question, "Who AM I?" they could clash more frequently with those around them. They may be happy one minute and sullen the next. Even this is normal. However, if your child starts reacting violently, either at home or at school, clearly something is seriously wrong."

2. Loss of Coordination, Glazed Eyes, Slurred Speech

"Without question, only two things can explain these symptoms. The first is that the person in question has suffered a stroke or a seizure. The second is that this person is inebriated. Both situations require immediate action. If your child is intoxicated, your first duty is to keep them from leaving the house until sober, for their own safety and the safety of others.

Once they are coherent, find out what they were taking and where they obtained it. If they were found unconscious, and taken to a hospital, medical testing will be able to provide a toxicology report. Encourage them to seek help, if addicted, and at least undergo counseling to learn how to avoid future dependency. Help in any way you can, but let them know that they must want to help themselves, in order to successfully change for the better."

3. Persistant Sadness and Withdrawel from Others

"Any child showing these signs for more than two weeks without interruption is clearly depressed. A change in eating habits and/or grooming has probably also been noticed. If so, something, or a combination of things, has triggered these changes. Your job is to find out what."

4. Honor Student to Dropout

"If your consistently top-notch student suddenly loses interest in school with grades in two or more classes plummeting, take heed! Straight A´s simply don´t turn into D´s overnight. Sit down with him or her and find out what´s happening in your child´s life.

Whatever it happens to be, let him or her know that you´re willing not only to help, but to listen as well. Refuse to accept "Leave me alone!" or "Nothing!" as acceptable answers. If they won´t talk to you, find another trusted adult with whom they will talk. Seek professional help if they need it."

5. Drastic Social Changes

"Friends and companions can and sometimes should, change a bit by the time your child leaves high school. Nevertheless, if your child´s associates suddenly are vastly different in negative ways from those they used to spend time with, this is usually a very bad sign. It´s even more telling if they now avoid or shun their old friends for no readily apparent reason."

6. Finding Unusual Possessions

"Discovering drugs, whether prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal narcotics that you had no idea that your child was using calls for immediate address. The same can be said for condoms, birth control devices, cigarettes, alcohol, and drug paraphernalia of any kind.

Recently, even glue, industrial products, and cleaning supplies have been used as inhalants (known among teens as "huffing") by kids seeking to get "high"-- often with fatal results. Finding these in your child´s room, pockets, or belongings is just as serious as finding a weapon. More than a red flag, this is a screaming siren!"

7. Legal Troubles

"Finally, if your child has been arrested at least once, this is clear indication that the situation is rapidly careening beyond the scope of your reach. By the time law enforcement becomes involved two or more times, your child has become society´s problem and the courts will soon decide his or her future.

Repeated run-ins with legal authorities can never be overlooked as "just a phase". There may still be hope, but only if drastic measures are taken and your child still cares enough to save himself or herself. Only so many chances are given to legal offenders. Don´t let time run out. Intervene while you still can."

These are all excellent points and can be of help to parents who ask, "is my kid abusing inhalants?" The warning signs are often subtle, but they are there.

Safe Kids Against Inhalants

Safe Kids of Central Shenandoah Valley has done a great job in raising awareness of inhalant abuse prevention in their community! After receiving a grant from the Virginia Department of Health in 2007, they began their efforts to spread inhalant abuse prevention messages to youths.

They have collaborated with the Harrisonburg City Schools and Risk Watch to issue a poster and essay contest for 7th graders. Their poster and essay contest was such a success last year, they are doing the same project again this year. Each participant will receive an "Inhalants Stink" t-shirt and tickets to the movie theater. The program is currently wrapping up for 2008, and they are happy to announce there have been more participants this year than last!

Safe Kids and the Strong Families Great Youth Coalitions have been working hard on getting inhalant prevention messages out to the Harrisonburg and Rockingham County community. Their Inhalant Abuse prevention display board has been rotated around Harrisonburg businesses and agencies during the past year. The board contains essential information for parents, educators and kids. That board has rotated around 10 businesses in Harrisonburg.

In addition to that, Safe Kids has incorporated table tents and tray liners which appear in middle schools and restaurants.

Safe Kids has also had a presence at several symposiums and fairs during the year. They exhibit their information in a variety of ways, including: table tents, bookmarks, tray liners, Virginia Department of Health’s tip sheet, and ACE’s What Every Parent Needs to Know About Inhalant Abuse brochures to name a few.

Notably, the group featured Inhalant Abuse prevention at the Harrisonburg Teen Pregnancy Prevention’s 2007 Teen Health fair. Approximately 400 teens were in attendance at the fair!

For more information on this group, or to find out how you can get involved, please contact Cindy Reeves at 540-433-4421 or email creeves@rhcc.com.

Williams Speaks to Schools in Kentucky

Sgt. Jeff Williams spoke to crowds comprised of junior high students, high school students, parents, counselors, and police officers for two days last week in Glasgow, Kentucky. The state has made efforts to counter the high inhalant abuse rate in some areas by inviting speakers to talk to schools and community leaders.

Williams says that what he wanted to get across was to, "in plain language, relay the most important information" - the most important information being what inhalants are, signs of inhlanat abuse, as well as the potential consequences. He says that he wants to counter all of the bad information that kids hear from their peers and get the real information out there.

Every child is going to be faced with a choice of whether or not to use inhalants. It's no longer a question of 'if', he says. Parents avoid discussing inhalant abuse with their kids because they "don't want to teach them", so they don't talk to them. Williams is in favor of giving children the real facts, the dangers, and the consequences so that they are able to make an informed decision.

Sgt. Jeff Williams is a police officer from Indiana who has become active in the inhalant community after his son Kyle died in 2004. Last December he was unanimously elected to the ACE Board of Trustees. 

Great Advice on Helium.com

Helium.com has eight different articles written about inhalants, all containing important information about inhalant abuse.

Eric Buckingham describes the telltale warning signs and the damage that inhaling chemicals can do to your body. He asks parents to,

"Look around the house and trash for lots of empty cans or containers that should not be there. Huffing will also leave its mark on the face and hands of the addict. Depending on their pattern of abuse they can huff the chemical directly from the can, put it in a brown paper bag, and even soak a towel or cloth in it and inhale it that way. So watch for these items as well."

Effie Moore Salem referenced ACE and explains that kids may abuse inhalants,

"because they mistakenly believe that since these chemicals are so regularly used and common they are safe. The initial reaction is a high' or a funny feeling that they like. Their friends do it and they are urged to try it. Like other stimulants, it is addicting and once a habit is formed it is hard to break."

Valli Sarvani advises parents to:

"Teach early: Educate kids between ages 7 and 12 to think of toxic household products as poisons. Explain them how, many items produces gases that can make sick. If your children help with cleaning involving dangerous products, guide them to read the label warnings and directions.

Discuss only the dangers: Teach your kids how people abuse household products before they enter middle school. Explain them these products are as dangerous as alcohol and drugs. Discuss only the risks, and avoid mentioning specific items.

Be a friend: Parents are the most powerful influence on their teens. Be proactive and use that influence early and often. Talk to them as a friend in a positive tone. Give them assurance that you won't punish them.

Talk more frequently: Studies revealed that kids who learn a lot about the risks of inhalants or drugs from their parents are up to 50% less likely to use them. So discuss with them as many times as you can.

Monitor your child: Monitor your child's activities. If you suspect your child huffing, ask about it directly. At that time avoid using accusatory language. If your child dislikes discussing with you, seek counseling immediately."

Rachel Mcclain offers great advice throughout her article, beginning by saying,

"if someone offered my young son a bopper, a popper, a snapper or even something as potential innocuous sounding as a glading, I would probably let him extend his hand and make him say please and thank you. The trouble is, they aren't going to offer him these things while I'm around.

That's because these are street names for huffing. When you use the other names, like head cleaner, poor man's pot, hippie crack, bullet, bolt and rush among a few, it doesn't sound so innocent. If you didn't recognize a single one of those names, you probably aren't alone.

One of the best ways to protect your children against something like huffing is to learn what it is, and learn what the warning signs are so you can recognize it in your own child or in one of his or her friends."

Callista Meyer warns that,

"being a risky yet cheap, legal alternative to getting high, the ages most commonly associated with inhalant abuse are 12 to 15 years old. More often than not these early teens are trying inhalants before they even attempt smoking. There for it is important to discuss the risks with your child before they enter junior high as this is when peer pressure reaches a peak."

All of the articles provide great information and statistics about inhalant abuse. Found another great source of information? Email us at info@consumered.org.

Win Tickets to a Rock Cats Game

ACE and the New Britain Rock Cats are teaming up this season, and tickets are available to the May 17th game in Connecticut for families who read this information page and email rockcats@rockcats.com.

The subject line should be "Inhalant Abuse", and the body of the email should describe what you have learned from ACE about the seriousness of juvenile inhalant abuse. Four tickets will be given away per family while supplies last. One fan will be selected to throw out the first pitch.

The first 1,500 kids who attend will get a free Rock Cats/ACE hat. ACE staff will be in attendance to further distribute information.

DUI in Vermont May Include Inhalants, Prescription Drugs

DUI laws may be revised in Vermont as a part of upcoming reforms, and include expanding the legislature to include driving while under the influence of prescription drugs and inhalants.

Currently, only federally regulated drugs are considered when being charged with a DUI. Stuart Scharr, the traffic safety prosecutor for the Vermont Association of State's Attorneys and Sheriffs, argues that, "Right now, if someone took Ambien and got in their car and killed someone, they could not be prosecuted for DUI. That's because it is not a regulated drug."

A potential problem that I could imagine would be the lack of definite proof of inhalant usage. For alcohol and drugs, there are breathalizers and blood tests, but inhalants exit the body in a matter of minutes. Any arrests for inhalants would have to be made on the basis of circumstancial evidence - paint stains on face, strong odor from clothing or mouth, slurred speech, or several empty aerosol cans throughout the car. I wonder if that would be enough to hold up in court.

Story from the Times-Argus. Another of their stories was featured here on the blog a few weeks ago after two young people were caught skipping school and abusing inhalants.

SAFE Education in Virginia

The Chesterfield Observer of Chesterfield County, Virginia printed a front-page story about inhalant use yesterday. Virginia as a state as well as this particular region have been at the forefront of raising awareness about inhalants. SAFE (Substance Abuse Free Environment) is piloting programs in Carver, Swift Creek, and Salem Church middle schools. Sharyl Adams, SAFE's substance abuse prevention specialist, says that,

"If we hadn't gotten the survey results showing that we were twice the national average regarding inhalant abuse, quite frankly, we wouldn't be doing this."

Carver Middle School held the SAFE workshop in April, and Principal Don Ashburn recognized the immediate impact that it had on teachers:

"There was a bit of shock and ah-ha moments for our teachers. It was like seeing the piece of a puzzle come together. Sometimes in the past, teachers have seen a child with declining grades. They've made contact with the parents, the parents have conducted drugtesting and then you have this training and you go 'okay, it's clear to me now'" in realizing that inhalant abuse might just be the cause."

The article also mentioned SAFE's sponsorship of Sgt. Jeff Williams, along with his message of,

"Teachers, parents say, 'Don't tell the kids because then they'll try it.' My message is they already know, so we have to talk with our kids about it."

In addition, several good tips were presented at the end of the article, such as -

Tips for Educating Your Child:

• Beginning at an early age, talk about poison prevention and product safety.
• Read labels with your child and teach him/her how to do so.
• Talk to him/her about the serious effects of abusing products.
• Reinforce peer resistance skills and practice these with your child.
• Highlight that inhalants are poisons rather than drugs.

As well as:

Long-term effects of inhalant use:

• Memory loss
• Impaired vision
• Loss of coordination
• Slurred speech
• Reduced lung function
• Bone marrow damage
• Muscle weakness
• Depression
• Dementia

Inhalant Prevention Guide

The Virginia Department of Education recently promoted their booklet entitled "Inhalant Abuse Prevention: Staff Education and Student Curriculum" at the Inhalant Abuse Prevention Awareness Institute on March 12th in Staunton, VA.

This incredible resource highlights reasons for abuse, principles for abuse prevention, activities for classes, and many, many more topics. The photo to the left shows the guide being displayed by Arlene Cundriff, the coordinator the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program, part of the Virginia Department of Education.

Inhalant Abuse Prevention Awareness Institute

This conference, presented by the Virginia Inhalant Abuse Prevention Coalition, was held on March 12th in Staunton, VA. The Coalition consists of a group of concerned prevention professionals and educators who are dedicated to raising awareness of inhalant abuse by providing factual information and resources in an effort to decrease inhalant use across the state.


On the night of the 11th, an inhalant prevention summit was held and included all the leaders in the field. Wayne Frith, the facilitator for the evening, engaged the participants on how to utilize the most effective strategies to spread the message at both the community and the national level.

It went very well and a number of interesting topics were presented, such as:

The Tragedy of Inhalant Abuse - this the first topic, presented by Sgt. Jeff Williams. He spoke about losing his son to inhalant abuse and played several YouTube videos to highlight children's exposure to inhalants as being cool.

Inhalant Abuse Basics - Dr. Robert Balster of the Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University explained what are inhalants as well as why and how they are abused.

Communities in Action - representatives from three different communities shared their approaches to inhalant abuse.

Teaching Kids About Inhalants - the updated Inhalant Abuse Prevention Manual was used to explain the principles for teaching young people about inhalants.

ACE was glad to be a part of this conference and to have our Inhalant Prevention Kits handed out to all attendees.

We'll be working with the Coalition for the next two years as they reach towards their goal of decreasing inhalant abuse in Virginia by 2009.

Drug Prevention

February 10-16 is the National Drug Prevention and Education Week, introduced by Senators Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Charles Grassley from Delaware and Iowa, respectively. Both senators hold seats on the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control. From Senator Grassley:

"This resolution urges communities to engage in the dialogue that will help stop drug use before it ever starts. The more people talk about and understand the dangers of drugs, the better off we'll be."

This week is also a good time for parents to discuss inhalant use with their children if they have not already done so.