Inhaled+Drugs

The tragic death of a 14-year-old Oregon boy this week from inhaling chemicals from a can of compressed air provides us with a reminder of the dangerous situations to which our students might sometimes be exposed. According to the Alliance for Consumer Education, 1 in 5 children abuse inhalants by eighth grade. Because the materials often can be purchased legally and/or are kept in the home, children may have the impression that the chemicals are harmless. Experimenting with inhalants is started before any other substances, according to The National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Females typically begin experimenting before males.

While different substances produce different effects, the high from compressed air like Dust Off (used to clean computers and other electronic equipment) may temporarily paralyze the user and cause a euphoric feeling. However, the chemicals may lead to life threatening cardiac arrest or may displace oxygen in the lungs and lead to suffocation.

Experts recommend talking to your children about the dangers of inhaling chemicals (also known as huffing, dusting, bagging, and other slang terms) just as you would about using alcohol and other drugs.

The Alliance for Consumer Education lists the following symptoms of inhalant abuse:

- Drunk, dazed, or dizzy appearance - Slurred or disoriented speech - Uncoordinated physical symptoms - Red or runny eyes and nose - Spots and/or sores around the mouth - Unusual breath odor or chemical odor on clothing - Signs of paint or other products where they wouldn't normally be, such as on face, lips, nose or fingers - Nausea and/or loss of appetite - Chronic Inhalant Abusers may exhibit symptoms such as hallucinations, anxiety, excitability, irritability, restlessness or anger.

Check out the following web sites for more information and tips on talking with your child.

http://www.inhalant.org/ http://www.drugfree.org/