Workshop Highlights Dangers of Inhalant Abuse
By Jay Sternickle
Article originally appeared in the
Livingston County Law Enforcement Monthly
Livingston County, Illinois
By Jay Sternickle
Article originally appeared in the
Livingston County Law Enforcement Monthly
Livingston County, Illinois
When most parents and teachers think about children abusing drugs, they have images of marijuana or cocaine use in their minds. What many do not realize is that there are other items that can be abused that are just as deadly and addictive—these are inhalants that can be found in any household or school. Inhalants include glues, adhesives, paint thinner and other common items that can be sniffed or “huffed” to obtain a high.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, one in five American teen-agers used inhalants to get high in 1996, and the problem is getting worse. Michelle Piotrowski, a prevention specialist with the Institute for Human Resources, said that inhalant abuse is a problem that cannot be ignored. Piotrowski stressed that abusing inhalants just one time can cause brain damage or even death.
IHR is sponsoring a free workshop that will help teach parents and educators about the dangers of inhalant abuse. The workshop will be held March 9 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at IHR and is limited to 40 participants.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, one in five American teen-agers used inhalants to get high in 1996, and the problem is getting worse. Michelle Piotrowski, a prevention specialist with the Institute for Human Resources, said that inhalant abuse is a problem that cannot be ignored. Piotrowski stressed that abusing inhalants just one time can cause brain damage or even death.
IHR is sponsoring a free workshop that will help teach parents and educators about the dangers of inhalant abuse. The workshop will be held March 9 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at IHR and is limited to 40 participants.
Piotrowski explained that many youngsters begin sniffing as early as grade school. Many start because they feel these substances cannot hurt them, because of peer pressure or because of low self esteem. Once hooked, many find it a tough habit to break.
“This kind of abuse is especially dangerous because these items are so cheap and so accessible,” said Piotrowski. “Parents and teachers are not aware that this stuff is right under their noses. Every home and every school has inhalants that can be abused. The key to prevention of abuse is developing an awareness of the problem.”
A major danger is that most people do not think about inhalants as drugs because they were never meant to be used that way. Many may be aware of abusers sniffing glue or paint thinner, but most parents are not aware that there are more than 1,000 products that can be abused. These include items like magic markers, hair spray, cooking spray, liquid paper, butane lighter fluid and nail polish remover.
“This kind of abuse is especially dangerous because these items are so cheap and so accessible,” said Piotrowski. “Parents and teachers are not aware that this stuff is right under their noses. Every home and every school has inhalants that can be abused. The key to prevention of abuse is developing an awareness of the problem.”
A major danger is that most people do not think about inhalants as drugs because they were never meant to be used that way. Many may be aware of abusers sniffing glue or paint thinner, but most parents are not aware that there are more than 1,000 products that can be abused. These include items like magic markers, hair spray, cooking spray, liquid paper, butane lighter fluid and nail polish remover.
“Sudden Sniffing Death can occur during,
or right after, sniffing. The heart begins to beat rapidly, but unevenly, which can lead to cardiac arrest."
Inhalants can be almost any breathable chemical that produce a mind-altering “high.” Inhalants can be ingested by “sniffing” or “snorting” (through the nose), “bagging” (inhaling fumes from a bag) or “huffing” (inhaling deeply through the mouth).
Teresa Turner, an assistant coordinator with the InTouch Program, said that this form of abuse is becoming more common among children. Turner will be a featured speaker during IHR's workshop.
The InTouch Program provides speakers and technical assistance to drug and alcohol prevention programs. The program is run through the Iroquois-Kankakee Regional Office of Education and serves eight counties, including Livingston County. Turner stressed that over the last five years, she has seen more and more cases of inhalant abuse in Central Illinois and that it is definitely not a problem limited to urban areas.
Sometimes “Sudden Sniffing Death” can occur during, or right after, sniffing. The heart begins to beat rapidly, but unevenly, which can lead to cardiac arrest. Many first-time abusers have been known to die, according to Turner.
The key to preventing such tragedies is awareness, she said. Parents and teachers should be aware of the signs of inhalant abuse. These include unusual breath odor or chemical smells on clothing, slurred or disoriented speech and signs of paint or other products where they normally would not be.
Other tell-tale signs of abuse might include behaviors such as sitting with a pen or marker near the nose; constantly smelling clothing sleeves; or hiding rags, clothes or empty containers that contained, or are contaminated by, the harmful products.
“I think that anyone who works with kids should attend this workshop,” stressed Turner. “Parents, teachers, youth group leaders and church group leaders should all be aware of this problem.”
For more information, or to register for the program, contact Michelle Piotrowski at (815) 844-6109.
For additional information contact the National Inhalant Prevention coalition at 1 800 269-4237. Online readers can visit the coalition's web site at www.inhalants.org.
For information about treatment programs, contact IHR or the National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Service at 1 800 662-HELP.
