Poverty: Substance Abuse Substance Abuse: Inhalants by Darren 1. What are the main issues for this topic? Inhalants are products often abused by young children. They are sniffed or inhaled deliberately for the user to get high; the high usually lasts between 15 and 45 minutes. 2. What are some regional examples of these issues? Inhalants are common household products that have a legitimate use but are used dangerously to get high. Some of the products abused include: glues, nail polish remover, markers, paint thinner, spray paint, lighter fluid, gasoline, propane, typewriter correction fluid, household cleaners, cooking sprays, deodorants, whipping cream aerosols. 3. How does this issue affect me (at the personal level)? The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported in 1996 that one in five American teenagers have used inhalants to get high. Children often start using inhalants because of peer pressure or because they do not think it can hurt them. 4. How does this issue affect youth in my community? Nobaody wants to see a young child die because of the use of inhalants. The child may not be able to understand just how dangerous the effects are. There are serious side effects to using inhalants. Some health risks involved with inhalants are permanent brain damage, loss of muscle control, and destruction of the heart, blood, kidney, liver, and bone marrow. The most serious consequence of inhalants is death. Death can result suddenly and can happen on your first time using or anytime afterwards if usage continues. The signs that a person is using inhalants are blurred vision, slurred speech, victims may become nauseated, forgetful, and unable to see things clearly. Victims may lose control of their body, including the use of arms and legs. Users may have the smell of chemicals on their breath or clothing and have signs of paint or other products on their face, fingers or clothing. A loss of appetite is also common. Users may have sores around the mouth and runny eyes or nose. Chronic inhalant abusers may exhibit such symptoms as anxiety, excitability, irritability, or restlessness. 5. How does this issue affect youth in the Americas? Kids everywhere are using inhalants. To help prevent the abuse of inhalants you should talk to your children about not trying them. Talk to teachers and guidance counselors about being alert for signs of abuse. You should consider keeping household products that could be used as inhalants in safe places away from the access of children. If you suspect that someone is abusing inhalants professional help should be sought. Sources used in the creation of this article: 1: NCADI- Inhalants: A Parents Guide to Preventing Inhalant Abuse www.health.org:80/newsroom/rep/inhalant.html website providing information to help prevent inhalant abuse