Did you know that your house could be home to drugs your kids are using to get high? Did you realize an ordinary product like nail polish remover can be used as an inhalant? What are inhalants?
Inhalation is referred to as huffing, sniffing, dusting or bagging and generally occurs through the nose or mouth. Huffing is when a chemically soaked rag is held to the face or stuffed in the mouth and the substance is inhaled. Sniffing can be done directly from containers, plastic bags, clothing or rags saturated with a substance or from the product directly. With Bagging, substances are sprayed or deposited into a plastic or paper bag and the vapors are inhaled. This method can result in suffocation because a bag is placed over the individual's head, cutting off the supply of oxygen.
Any form of inhalants are dangerous and deadly. Click here for a list of potentially dangerous household products that could be abused.
Who is at risk? Inhalants are an equal opportunity method of substance abuse. Statistics show that young, white males have the highest usage rates. Hispanic and American Indian populations also show high rates of usage. See Characteristics of Users and Signs of an Inhalant User for more details.
Inhalant.org is an educational website that offers a free Inhalant Prevention Tool Kit for parents and educators. Download it today!
In Florida, parents can contact The Children's Trust Parent Helpline for resources in your local area.
Must watch 60 second video, education is the key to prevention.
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