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 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. These products are widely available, inexpensive, easy to conceal and are legal. Common inhalants used to get high include rubber cement, paint thinner, nail polish remover, gasoline, correction fluids and bleach.

Though inhalants are often thought of as household products, items commonly found in the classroom can also be abused as inhalants.

• Permanent markers
• Dry erase markers
• Ditto machine fluid
• Glues and cements
• Correction fluid

• Brake fluid
• Gasoline
• Refrigerator/coolant
• Degreasers
• Solvents
• Paints/Lacquers

• Paints, varnishes and wood stains
• Paint thinners
• Contact cement/Rubber cement

• Nail polish
• Nail polish remover
• Hairspray

• Printing inks
• Paints/Spray paints/Clear finishes
• Paint thinners

• Whip cream canisters and cartridges
• Spray shortening

Source: Bureau of Substance Abuse Services, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

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.

• 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).

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.

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.

• 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

To help prevent inhalant abuse in your school, keep the following guidelines in mind.

• Review school policy regarding drug use and referral service
• Provide training and/or information for school personnel—engage school nurses, coaches and guidance counselors in prevention efforts
• Provide information resources to parents
• Link inhalants to safety or environmental issues
• Start prevention efforts by age 5, minimum
• Ascertain current level of knowledge
• Teach and reinforce appropriate skills:
  • Reading labels
  • Safety precautions
  • Following directions
  • Decision-making skills
  • Recognition of poisons/toxins
  • Refusal skills
  • Awareness of physical symptoms/effects

Don't...

• Glamorize or promote usage
• Rely on scare tactics
• Tell too much, too soon
• Give details on "how to use" or trendy products being abused
• Limit prevention to secondary grade levels
• Link inhalants with drugs or a drug unit

Source: The Health Network

Additional information about inhalants can be found at www.teachersguide.org and www.theantidrug.com.