Inhalants...a deadly problem

Dawn Johnson

Healthy and Safe Children Chair

Inhalant Abuse is a very serious problem in our society…millions of our youth are abusing inhalants on a daily basis. In fact, it is such a problem that the sale of many items are having to be controlled and monitored. Just walk into Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club and try to buy some computer dust off spray or spray paint. The cashier should refuse the sale if it is to a minor as age restrictions will pop up on the register. Many items that we use everyday are being used inappropriately and are potentially deadly!      

Inhalants are breathable chemical vapors that are very volatile and they produce vapors that children inhale to produce mind-altering/psychoactive effects. Simply put…Inhalants are inhaled and they can be deadly. Society is exposed to these substances in so many ways and it is truly unbelievable the ways that substances are abused. There are thousands of inhalants and we as parents took extra special care to make sure our children were protected from such dangers when our children were young and now these very same products are more deadly than ever to our youth! Thousands of our young people have died experimenting with inhalants.

It is estimated that more than one out of every five American teen-agers tries "huffing" -- inhaling household products to get a cheap, easily available, temporary high -- and parents need to learn about the dangers and what to watch for to prevent such abuse. The government and many coalitions realize that this is a very severe problem and efforts are being made to make parents aware of the deadly dangers that such a risky behavior can cause! We as PTAs/PTSAs need to know how serious this problem is and ways to prevent inhalant abuse. 

 How do inhalants work?  What do they do? 

Inhalants often act to slow down the functions of out bodies.  When someone inhales (huffing) the substance through the mouth or nose, they can cause mind altering or intoxicating effects similar to the effects of anesthetics.  Inhaled chemicals travel very quickly from the lungs through the blood and then to the brain and throughout the other organs of the body.  The chemicals work on the body within minutes, and the individual user experiences alcohol like effects, often manifested in erratic clumsy movements, slurred speech, dizziness, and can also include delusions, hallucinations, euphoria and lightheadedness to name just a few symptoms.  It should be noted that severe headaches and drowsiness can also be experienced.  Many chemicals, especially nitrates, can pose even more danger because they dilate blood vessels and increase the heart rate and tend to produce sensations of excitement and heat! 

Examples of inhalants and where are they found?

 Inhalants are everywhere! There are thousands of substances that you should be alerted to but some examples are:  gases used in butane lighters, whipped cream in aerosol cans (whippets), refrigerator gases, cements and glues, typewriter correction fluids, magic markers, dry erase markers, spray paints, stains, lacquers thinners, lubricants, cooking sprays, aerosol air fresheners, deodorants, gasoline, deodorant sprays, fabric protectors and thousands of aerosols can be abused!  As a rule of thumb…if it is aerosol there is a risk!

Sudden Sniffing Death- Inhalants  Kills & Can Cause Permanent Damage

Using inhalants is very serious and there have been thousands of young people to die of “sudden sniffing death.” Using inhalants can cause an individual to have a rapid irregular heart rhythm, heart failure and even death! It can happen after the first time someone huffs or it can happen at any time. The sad thing is that thousands of healthy young people have died from inhalant abuse.   Many deaths have also occurred due to suffocation, choking and/or asphyxiation. Prolonged and chronic use can cause permanent damage to organs (heart, lungs, kidneys, liver) and the nervous system.

Signs and Symptoms of Inhalant Use-

Not that we are aware of some of the dangers involved with Inhalants what can we look for to make sure our children are not engaging in this risky behavior.

Some signs and symptoms  of inhalant abuse include but are not limited to: drunk, dazed, disoriented behavior, chronic coughs and shortness of breath, runny nose,  anxiety, irritability, excitability, sores or rashes around the mouth and nose, nausea and vomiting, headaches, disorientation, memory loss, lack of concentration, chemical smells on  clothes, chemical smells on breath, hallucinations, passing out, unusual moods swings, red and irritated eyes, unexplained weight loss, loss  of appetite, loss or diminished sense of smell, spastic limbs, slurred speech, clumsiness, paints stains on clothing, chemical smells on clothing and/or skin, unexplained rags, sandwich bags, towels, cans that have chemical odors.      

If you suspect Inhalant Abuse…what should  you do?

Preventing Inhalant Abuse

What should you do if you suspect that your child or any child you know is abusing inhalants?   The first thing you need to remember is that any usage of inhalants is very dangerous! One of the most important things we can do as parents and adults is to teach our children how deadly the behavior is. There have been thousands of teens that have used inhalants because they thought it was a safe and legal way to get high!  

Explain to them that the most important thing parents and adults can do to prevent inhalant abuse is to talk with children and teach them about not experimenting with inhalants or any drugs. We need to teach our children how harmful and deadly inhalants are. Many troubled teens start doing it because they think it is a safe way to get high and inhalants are easy to get…they are everywhere! Parents should talk to them and help them understand that it is extremely dangerous to experiment with chemicals and poisons and that even one use can kill them, and any use at all could cause permanent damage. Monitor children and know the signs and symptoms of inhalants abuse and truthfully, these could be the sign of other problems but the key is to notice the signs…and do not ignore the signs. It is not just a fade…it is a very severe and potentially deadly problem. Trust your instincts…if you think there is reason for concern there probably is…please do not ignore the signs! If you suspect there’s a problem seek professional help immediately…you might not get another chance. 

Parental Involvement is a key…we have heard those words before and it is very important in inhalants abuse as well…..be involved and monitor our children. PTAs/PTSAs have a responsibility to educate our children, teachers, parents and communities on this potentially deadly behavior. For more information please go to the National PTA website and click on parent resources and then click on Safety. You will find many topics on interest including “Clearing the Air on Inhalant Abuse.”