Drug Resistance Education Needed for Teens

Via: The Legal Examiner

New York, New York: A Survey conducted by the National Institutes of Drug Abuse, NIH, found that there has been a decline in the perceived risk of using certain substances. There was a decrease in the amount of 10th graders that found the regular use of inhalants to be harmful.

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.

Ohio Youth Sentenced to Prison for Aggravated Vehicular Manslaughter

Via Sidney Daily News

An 18-year-old man passed out while driving after huffing, killing his 16-year-old friend on November 8, 2015. He has received a six year prison sentence and a fifty year suspension on his licence for aggravated vehicular homicide, driving while intoxicated, and tampering with evidence for attempting to hide the can of compressed air.

A Teen Boy Who Was Huffing Dies After Fall from a Building

via straitstimes.com

A 13-year-old boy in Singapore fell from the 10th floor of a building after inhaling butane, found in gas canisters and lighters. They boy was pronounced dead after he was found on the second floor ledge. The teen had been sitting on the 10th floor ledge dangling his feet over when his hand slipped and he fell from his perch. The court ruled the case as a tragic misadventure.

Montana Mother who Provided Alcohol and Inhalants to her Children Sentenced

Via http://missoulian.com

A woman from Hamilton, Montana was sentenced to ten years in Montana Department of Corrections with five years suspended. She was first arrested in May 2014 after she provided alcohol to a 13-year-old boy, who became extremely sick in the motel room where she was staying with her 14-year-old daughter. However, the mother did not seek medical treatment because she “was worried about getting into trouble.” The second incident occurred when she was released on bail in November. During this time, she abused inhalants with her children. After consuming these products, one of her children fell and hit its head and subsequently had two seizures.

These events were reportedly part of a larger parenting trend. Another allegation included regularly using drugs in front of her children. Additionally, is also accused of regularly bringing various men home for the purpose of having sexual intercourse in front of her children. Her defense attorney cited the physical and sexual abuse that she suffered as a child as reasons for her behavior. However, the judge rejected her please for clemency during sentencing.

Huffing Butane Causes Explosion in New Zealand

Via TVNZ in New Zealand:

Three teens were injured in an inhalant related explosion. The two females, ages 14 and 15 and the 17 year old boy had been huffing in a house when a fire started after a cigarette was lit.  Emergency services found the two females inside the home and the teen boy was found nearby. All sustained extensive burns to their face, arms and legs and all three are recovering in hospital. The explosion was so intense that the house's bedroom curtains were found in a neighboring property.

Five Iowa Teens Found in An Alley After Abusing Inhalants

Via the Sioux City Journal in Iowa:

Earlier this week five teens, all aged 13 and 14, were charged with misdemeanor huffing after being found in an alley staggering and talking incoherently. The police report notes it was determined they “had been huffing fumes.”

New National Inhalant Data Finds Inhalant Abuse on the Rise

This morning the Partnership at DrugFree.org released their 2012 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS).  For the full study results, click here.

On page 3: “Teen Substance Abuse By Ethnicity (Used at least once in the past year)” shows that from 2011 to 2012 inhalant abuse has INCREASED for both Hispanic and African American teens. 

 From 2011 to 2012, use of an inhalant at least once in the past year:

•  12% of Hispanic teens (an increase from 11% in 2011) 
•  8% of African American teens (an increase from 6% in 2011)
•  5% of Caucasian teens (remaining steady at 5% from 2011)

On page 4: "Approval of Peer Substance Abuse" shows: 13% of Hispanic Teens, 7% of African American teens and 6% of Caucasian teens approve/strongly approve of "sniffing or huffing things to get high:

On page 6: "Perception of Risk" shows: 82% of Hispanic Teens, 84% of African American teens and 90% of Caucasian teens feel that "sniffing or inhaling things to get high can kill you."

Five Montana Girls Injured in Inhalant Related Crash

Via KXLF in Montana:

This past weekend five girls ages 13 to 15 crashed their car into a business, causing severe structure damage to the building. Inhalant Abuse is suspected after eight cans of a product were found in the vehicle.  All were treated for minor injuries and the 15 year old driver was taken to a medical center.

Atlanta Teens Huffing From Air Conditioners

Via WSB TV and the CBS affiliate in Atlanta:


Six high school students are facing charges after they were found vandalizing a home air conditioning unit in an attempt to get high.
The homeowner heard noises on the back deck and saw teens “rolling around on the ground, having a hard time standing up” and “The one kid who was laying behind the unit had his mouth against it and just sucking it in.” He took photos of the teens from the window and when he went outside to confront them they were disoriented and dazed.

When the teens ran off they left their book bags behind which is how the police were able to identify them. They have been charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass, destruction of property and theft. The home owner notes it is the second time in two weeks he has caught teens huffing the refrigerant out of his air conditioner.

Pennsylvania Coroner's Report Confirms Teens Huffed Behind the Wheel

Via the Pittsburgh Post Gazette:


Pennsylvania State Police released the findings of a coroner’s report that has confirmed that huffing was involved in the October 3, 2012 crash last fall that killed three 18 year old Pennsylvania teens and a 47 year old Canadian motorcyclist. Four others were injured.

The report six teens were in a car was traveling down I-79 and they had huffed computer dusting spray. The car “abruptly and for undetermined reasons" drove up a hilly median, went airborne and then “landed in the southbound lane where it hit a camper and collided with the motorcycle.” The motorcyclist’s passenger was flown to the hospital while the three teens were brought to the same hospital via ambulance.

New Zealand Teen Pronounced Dead after Huffing Butane

via stuff.co.nz

A 17-year-old Christchurch girl died shortly after she was seen "huffing" what is thought to be butane, police say. Inquiries will soon be handled regarding the sale of butane to youth in the area.

Teenager in Illinois in Fatal Crash Picks Bench Trial

via pjstar.com

The Toulon teenager accused of "huffing" while driving in a high-speed crash that killed three Stark County teens and injured another last year has decided not to trust his fate to a jury.

New Zealand teenagers who were allegedly 'huffing' end with burns

via nzherald.co.nz

Two teens are currently being treated for burns from 2 explosions in a home. The teenagers were huffing gasoline from glass bottles when the explosion happened. Fire investigators have not yet determined the cause of the explosions.

First-Time Teen Alcohol, Drug Use Peaks in Summer

via webmd.com

This article gives statistics on the peaking numbers of teenagers who are more inclined to try drugs and alcohol. Summer has proven to be the prime time for risky and dangerous behavior among youth.

3 New Hampshire Girls Hospitalized for Huffing pronounced 'All fine' - New Hampshire

via seacoastonline.com

This article is a follow-up on the the 3 students who intentionally inhaled vapors from air horns on a school bus as they were riding to the school last Thursday morning. The 3 teenage-females who were hospitalized last week as a result of huffing have been pronounced 'OK' and 'All fine.'

Teen Was Huffing When He Hit Crossing Guard

via WLNS 6 News

Check out this article about the ongoing investigation regarding a teen who lost control of their car due to huffing.

Teens and Hand Sanitizers

There have been numerous posts on ACE’s Inhalant Message Board regarding people inhaling hand sanitizer, but did you know there’s a new trend of teens drinking ethanol hand sanitizers to get drunk?

According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC), last year 622 calls were made to poison centers nationwide concerning exposure* to hand sanitizers by teens ages 13 through 19. So far this year (as of April 25th) there have already been 203 calls!
Do you know the facts?

Have you talked to a teen in your life about this issue? Please click here to check out the AAPCC’s FAQ sheet on hand sanitizer misuse and abuse.

*"Exposure" means someone has had contact with the substance in some way; for example, ingested, inhaled, absorbed by the skin or eyes, etc. Not all exposures are poisonings or overdoses

Woman Sentenced for Inhalant-Related Car Accident

Via the Bellingham Herald in Washington:

Last week, a Lynden, WA, woman was sentenced to six months in prison for an inhalant-related car accident in 2009.

The 20-year-old woman and two teenage friends purchased several cans of dust remover before heading to the young woman’s apartment in her Honda Accord. Despite her friend’s protest, the young woman huffed the dust remover twice while driving.

While approaching a traffic light, the friends saw the young woman “slump over and hit her head on the steering wheel.” One of the passengers grabbed the wheel, but the Accord hit two other cars before stopping. All three cars were damaged, but the women in the Accord were the only ones injured.

When questioned by officers, the young woman said “she didn’t know what was going on” after huffing while driving.

She was found guilty of two counts of vehicular assault last week.