I'll Huff and I'll...
By sabber_96
Did you know that 18% of 8th graders
report having used inhalants to get high? That is only 2% less then those that
have used marijuana. Inhalants are becoming more ‘popular’ among kids today.
They are so easily accessible to our children. The products they use are right
in your own home! Under your sink, in your bathroom, in your garage.
Inhalants, known on the streets as huffing, wanging,
bagging or sniffing are a deadly way kids are getting high. The products kids
are using to get high, when inhaled, interrupt the flow of oxygen to the brain,
in turn giving a dizzying high. It can cause ‘sudden sniffing death’ or also
known as cardiac arrest. It can also cause brain damage, memory loss,
deterioration of the bones, muscle spasms, and damage to other body organs.
Some of the products that kids are using to get high
include: Liquid correction fluid, air fresheners, nail polish remover, cooking
sprays, gasoline, hair spray, glue, spray paint, markers, WD-40, plus numerous
others!
It is hard to tell when your child is using
inhalants, but some of the signs could include: sores or redness around the nose
and mouth, sudden memory loss, hidden aerosol cans, increase in use of breath
mints or gum, chronic cough, also chemical smells either on the child or on rags
and in bags that are used by spraying the chemical on a rag or in a bag and
placing over the nose to inhale. If you think your child is using inhalants,
jump in and find out for sure before it is to late!
You can also do some things to help prevent your
child from using inhalants. Replace all aerosol cans in you home with pump style
products. Keep your children busy with after school activities. Most important,
TALK to your child. Let them know the dangers. Tell them how deadly
‘huffing’ can be. It can kill them the first try!
Be aware and be prepared! For further reading on
this subject, please view these other resourceful sites!
http://www.teenchallenge.com/main/drugs/inhalant.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/4111/index.html
http://www.inhalants.org/
http://www.jointogether.org/sa/issues/hot_issues/inhalants/
