Many parents are knowledgeable and concerned about tobacco and alcohol, as well as illicit drugs such as marijuana, and cocaine. Often, they are not as familiar with the dangers posed to their children from common household products containing volatile aerosols or solvents.  Many young people look to these sources for the quick fix, without knowing about the serious side effects that can result.  The most common side effect is death!

   Surveys that I have found said that more than 12.5 million Americans have abused inhalants at least once in their lives. About 20% of eighth graders have abused inhalants, one of the few substances abused more by younger children than by older ones.

     Many youth report they start sniffing because they don’t believe these substances can hurt them, and because of peer pressure or low self esteem. Once they are hooked to the products, they find it tough and difficult to break the habit. Inhaled chemicals are quickly absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream and distributed to the brain and other organs. In minutes, users experience intoxication ,along with  effects that are like being "drunk", that include slurred speech, lack of physical coordination, dizziness, and euphoria. This lasts only a few minutes, so abusers frequently want to have the high longer by continuing to inhale over a long period.

    Many youth and teens don’t know that even a single session of repeated inhalant abuse can cause death. Prolonged sniffing can create irregular and rapid heart rhythms and lead to heart failure and death within minutes. This syndrome, known as sudden sniffing death, can result from a single session use by a generally healthy person. Inhalant abuse can induce death due to asphyxiation, suffocation, choking, or fatal injuries occurring as a result of intoxification.

    Early identification is important in order to stop abuse before serious health consequences result. Parents, teachers, physicians, and others can help if they are aware of these possible signs of a serious inhalant abuse problem:

• chemical odors on breath or clothing
• paint or other stains on face, hands, or clothes
• hidden rags, clothes, empty containers of potentially abused products/
• sitting with a marker near nose
• constantly smelling clothing sleeves
• drunk or disoriented appearance
• slurred speech
• nausea or loss of appetite
• lack of coordination, irritability, and depression

      Over 150 professionals attended a recent program, “The Invisible Threat.” Isabel Burk addressed the prevention of inhalant abuse, including personal safety, environmental safety and poison control. This guy taught children the signs on the sides of the inhalants that show just how ddangerour they are. Several parents whose children were victims of sudden sniffing death spoke to the participants. Mostly everyone agreed that Mr. John Authers, whose 10-year-old daughter Casey died last year after huffing, said a qoute at the program: “Remember, almost every bathroom has a can of air freshener and a lock on the door. Our children are very precious. We need to know or at least be aware of some, if not all, of the dangers they face every day.”