Transcript More Teens Abusing Inhalants

More Teens Abusing
Inhalants
CNN Health
Reuters
March 22, 2005
What Are Inhalants?
Inhalants are volatile chemical drugs
(such as nitrous oxide) or non-drugs
(such as paint thinners or model
airplane glue) that are breathed in and
affect the brain in ways similar to CNS
depressants.
Abuse of inhalants warrants more
attention because many of these
products are legal, easy to obtain, and
therefore more accessible to
youngsters.
Information and Statistics
Inhalants commonly sniffed, or "huffed," by
children as young as 8 include: gasoline and
lighter fluid, spray paints, cleaning fluids, paint
thinners and other solvents, degreasers,
correction fluids, hair sprays and odorizers.
Approximately 23 million people have abused
inhalants in their lifetime. More than 2 million
people huffed in 2003, of that 1.1 million were
12-17 years of age. In 2002, more than 1
million people huffed for the first time,
883,000 were aged 12-17.
Health Risks
Health risks include:
brain and neural damage
convulsions
depressed motor skills
suffocation / asphyxia
chronic weight loss
loss of consciousness
delinquent behavior
death
Suggestions for Reducing Inhalant Use
Laws requiring the addition of nauseainducing substances to model airplane
glue.
Regulation of the sale of chemicals in retail
outlets.
Education of adults regarding proper
storage of volatile home products.
Requirement of childproof containers for
dangerous chemicals
Education of the public in general about the
inhalant category of substance abuse.
Relating It Back to HLTH301
Drug education must be a diverse
strategy that includes classroom
activities focused on developing
personal and social skills as well as
other developmentally appropriate
activities and learning experiences.
Drug education and prevention must
involve the family, the community, and
the cultural environment, particularly
the media.
Links
National Inhalant Prevention Coalition
http://www.inhalants.org
Partnership for a Drug-free America
http://www.drugfree.org
Parents. The Anti-Drug
http://www.theantidrug.com/drug_info/
drug_info_inhalants.asp