What Everyone Needs To Know About Inhalant
Abuse
OUR GOALTo provide students, staff, families, and the communities of the
Los Angeles Unified School District with comprehensive support services and resources
to promote the awareness, education, and prevention of inhalant abuse.
OUR GOALTo provide students, staff, families, and the communities of the
Los Angeles Unified School District with comprehensive support services and resources
to promote the awareness, education, and prevention of inhalant abuse.
What Is Inhalant Abuse?
Deliberate inhalation of fumes, vapors or gases to become intoxicated
“Sniffing” or “Huffing”
More than 1,400 household products can be abused
Over 2.1 million youth, ages 12-17, have used an inhalant to get intoxicated
Inhalant Abuse Starts Early
1 in 4 youth admit to having used inhalants by the 8th grade.
Third most abused substance after alcohol and marijuana for 9th graders and third most abused substance after marijuana and painkillers for 11th graders.
Inhalant Abuse usually begins at age 10 or 11. However children as young as 6 have been known to experiment with inhalants.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System Survey, 2003California Attorney General; 12th Biennial California Student Survey, 2007-08.
Commonly Abused Products
GasesNitrous oxide, helium, refrigerants
Cleaning AgentsSpot removers, degreasers
Solvents and FuelsButane, propane, nail polish
remover, paint thinner/remover, correction fluid, permanent markers, gasoline, engine octane boosters
Commonly Abused ProductsAerosolsSpray paint, hair spray, air freshener,
deodorant, fabric protector, computer keyboard cleaners
AdhesivesModel airplane glue, rubber cement, PVC
cementCooking ProductsCooking spray, aerosol whipped cream
toppings, canned cheese productsNitritesAmyl nitrite, butyl nitrite (“poppers” or
“snappers”)
“Whippets,” “crackers” and balloons (aka “nos/z”) associated with nitrous oxide abuse
Methods of Abuse“Sniffing” - inhaling directly through the
nose from a product container, plastic and/or paper bag, including chip bags, soda cans, clothing, back packs.
“Huffing” - inhaling through the mouth from a chemical-soaked rag, open container or balloon.
“Bagging” - inhaling through the nose and/or mouth. Example: Putting a bag over one’s head and inhaling.
For maximum effect, youth inhale deeply and then take several more short breaths.
Risky Business…
Nervous system and brain damage
Irreversible damage to liver and kidneys, bone marrow
Numbness and tingling of the hands and feet and/or muscle weakness
Hearing loss, visual impairment
Sudden Sniffing DeathIndividuals can die the first time or
anytime from inhalant use.22% of SSD-related deaths were as a
result of first time use.
DEATH CAN RESULTDEATH CAN RESULT
the first time or anytime someone uses an inhalant.
The techniques and methods of administration can be just
as deadly as the toxic products themselves.
Common Misclassified Injuries…
Inhalant use is often underreported due to misidentified injuries:Suffocation as a result of the
displacement of oxygen in the lungsChoking on vomit Asphyxiation when plastic bag covers the
headExplosion or combustion of volatile fumesOther accidents related to the loss of
consciousness and/or loss of motor skills
Be on High Alert
Toxic effects are short-lived (average 30 seconds to 3 minutes)
First cluesChange in behavior at home and/or
schoolDrop in grades and loss of interest in
favorite activitiesChange in friends
Medical signs are often non-specificNo quick diagnostic tests availableDifficult to detect the specific product
used
Physical Warning Signs
Drunk, dazed or dizzy appearance
Glassy or watery eyes/nose
Slurred or disoriented speech
Lack of physical coordination
Nausea, loss of appetite
Spots, burns, sores around the mouth
Chemical odor on clothing and/or breath
Having multiple household products without a reason
Hidden baggies, rags, or empty aerosols in unusual places
Whipped topping or other household aerosols are always low on propellant
Excessive use of perfumes, body sprays, breath mints to hide odor of chemicals
Other Warning Signs
Other Warning Signs
Paint or other products on face, lips, nose or fingers
Fingernails painted with permanent markers or correction fluid
Constant smelling of clothing, markers, rags
Butane lighters (empty or partially filled) or refill cans especially if youth doesn’t smoke
Multiple canisters or overuse of computer keyboard cleaners
Short-Term Effects Headache
Abdominal pain
Muscle weakness
Severe mood swings
Violent behavior
Slurred speech
Numbness, tingling in hands and feet
Visual disturbances
Fatigue
Lack of coordination
Apathy
Impaired judgment
Dizziness
Lethargy
Stupor
Loss of consciousness
Limb spasms
Long-Term Effects
Weight loss
Muscle weakness
Disorientation
Inattentiveness
Lack of coordination
Depression
Memory Loss
Brain Damage in a Toluene Abuser
National Institute on Drug Abuse, courtesy of Neil Rosenberg, M.D.
Brain images show shrinkage of brain tissue in a toluene abuser, B, as compared to a non-abusing individual, A. Note the smaller size and the larger, empty (dark) space within the toluene abuser’s brain.
healthy abuser
BOOKING PHOTO
Forty-one year old man arrested for "abusing harmful intoxicants.” He huffed spray paint and needed more. Law enforcement officials stated his pupils were constricted and he spoke very slowly.
Reasons for Abuse
Availability – Products are readily available at home, schools, and neighborhood stores.
Legal – In California, it is not illegal to sell most inhalable products to minors.
Inexpensive – Products can be purchased for less than a dollar.
Quick Acting – Effects are felt within seconds and are short-lived, which leads to more repetitive usage.
Easy to Use – Inhalant abuse does not require traditional paraphernalia. Plastic bags and clothing, which are accessible to youth, are common items used.
Approaches to Teaching Inhalant Abuse Prevention
Inhalant abuse prevention should start in kindergarten.
Discuss the damaging effects of inhalants on the brain and body.
Associate abusable products with poisons, fire hazards and body pollutants.
Encourage safe use of products according to directions.
Approaches to Teaching Inhalant Abuse Prevention(continued…)
Education about inhalant use can increase the likelihood of abuse when not approached correctly.
It is important not to stimulate curiosity or experimentation.
Approaches to Avoid
Do not discuss specific products that could be abused.
Do not inform students that inhalants can get you “high.” This will make them associate inhalable products with drugs, instead of poisons.
Never explain or demonstrate techniques for inhaling products to students.
For ParentsThe Inhalant Abuse Prevention Kit offers
brochures and fact sheets with suggested talking tips for youth.
For younger children, parents should:
Play a game: “Is it safe to smell or touch?”
Discuss the purpose of household products
For older children, parents should:
Ask if they know about inhalant abuse
Tell them about the physical and emotional consequences
Monitor your teen’s activities
Do not mention specific products
For School StaffThe Inhalant Abuse Prevention Kit offers
grade-specific standards based curriculum.
For younger students, staff should:
Discuss the term “toxic”
Associate inhalants with “poisons”
Practice reading product labels
For older students, staff should:
Teach students the importance of using household products safely
Teach students about the adverse effects inhalants have on the brain and body
Treatment Options Are Limited
Traditional drug treatment facilities do not commonly admit inhalant abusers because:
Failure rate is very highTreatment takes months, possibly yearsAddiction to inhalants is as strong as that
to cocaineMost treatment facilities are not equipped
to handle complexity of abusers’ emotional and physical needs
In An Emergency If someone is unconscious, call 911 immediately.
If you suspect someone is under the influence of an inhalant:Immediately seek assistance from your school
nurse and administrator.Keep them calm to reduce cardiac stress.Whenever possible, identify product(s) to
facilitate emergency response.Contact the Poison Control Center at
(800) 222-1222 or the “800 Number” on the label of the product.
LAUSD BUL-3277.1
Preventive Measures and Mandatory Procedures for Students Who Violate Laws Regarding Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Other IntoxicantsIntoxicants
CALIFORNIA INHALANT LAWS
Legislature recognizes inhalants as a “drug.”
California Penal Code § 13860
In 2007, the State Legislature declared its support to increased efforts by local law enforcement agencies working in conjunction with school districts to suppress and prevent drug abuse, specifically identifying Inhalants as a recognized drug.
CALIFORNIA INHALANT LAWS
Penal Code § 380: Selling or Distributing Toluene-Based Products to Minors is Illegal
Penal Code § 381: Possession of Toluene-Based Products to Get High is Illegal
Penal Code § 381b: Possession of Nitrous Oxide to get High is Illegal
Penal Code § 381c: Selling or Distributing Nitrous Oxide to Minors is Illegal
For more information, please visit: www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html
Society
Parents
Peers
Family
Educators
Community
Media
Role Models
Addressing the inhalant abuse
issue is everyone’s
responsibility.
Inhalant Related Resources
Web-based Training for Parentswww.inhalantabusetraining.org
Alliance for Consumer Education
www.inhalant.org National Inhalant
Prevention Coalitionwww.inhalants.org
National Institute on Drug
Abuse (NIDA)www.inhalants.drugabuse.gov
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration
www.ncadi.samhsa.gov
Partnership for a Drug-Free America
www.drugfreeamerica.org
Healthy Citywww.healthycity.org
Poison Control Center(800) 222-1222 211 LA County (formerly known as Info
Line) 211 or (800) 339-6993
For access to community health and human services in the Los Angeles County and City areas, 211 is available 24 hours/day, in multiple languages.
http://schoolsafety.lausd.net/
Collaborative Partners Los Angeles Unified School District
Local District 5, LAUSD
Office of City Attorney, City of Los Angeles
Los Angeles Police Department
Hollenbeck Teen Community Police Advisory Board
Alliance for Consumer Education
National Inhalant Prevention Coalition
Partnership for a Drug Free America