Inhalants are volatile substances that produce chemical vapors that can be inhaled to induce a psychoactive, or mind-altering, effect. Although other abused substances can be inhaled, the term "inhalants" is used to describe a variety of substances whose main characteristic is that they are rarely, if ever, taken by any route other than inhalation. Hundreds of everyday household products are being used by kids to get a quick high by sniffing directly from an open container or "huffing" from a rag soaked in the substance held to the face. Common inhalants used to get high include rubber cement, paint thinner, nail polish remover, gasoline, correction fluids and bleach.

• Almost half a million young people use inhalants in any month (National Household Survey, 1999).
• There were an estimated 991,000 new inhalant users in 1998, up from 390,000 in 1990 (National Household Survey, 1999). The rate of first use among youths age 12-17 rose significantly from 1990 to 1998, from 11.6 to 28.1 per 1,000 potential new users.
• Twenty-one percent of youth have at least tried household products once in their lifetime` to get high (Partnership Attitude Tracking Study, 2000).

Inhalant use can cause a number of health problems, including suffocation and even death.

• Short-term- heart palpitations, breathing difficulty, dizziness, and headaches.
• Long-term- damage to the brain, nerve cells, heart, and lungs.

Physical signs of inhalant abuse

• Unusual breath odor or chemical odor on clothing
• Spots and/or sores around the mouth
• Nausea and/or loss of appetite
• Slurred or disoriented speech
• Drunk, dazed or dizzy appearance
• Red or runny eyes or nose

Products are widely available, inexpensive, easy to conceal and are legal. Most users do not realize how dangerous inhalants can be. Many young people start because they don't think these substances can hurt them. Once hooked, they find it a tough habit to break.

One in five youth has used inhalants. Young people from all socioeconomic groups and ethnic backgrounds have tried inhalants, yet 9 out of 10 parents refuse to believe their children have ever abused inhalants.