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