Pubdate: Thu, 03 Jun 2004
Source: Fort Bragg Advocate-News (CA)
Copyright: 2004 by MediaNews Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.mapinc.org/media/3281
Website: http://www.advocate-news.com/
Author: Tony Reed, Of the Advocate
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Inhalants

INHALANTS REPORT GETS RESPONSE

The recent notification by police and action by Rite Aid management
concerning the spike in sales of a particular form of dust removing
spray has gotten local and national attention. According to police Lt.
Floyd Higdon, many empty containers of a computer cleaning and dusting
agent, made by Endust are being found in areas where officers commonly
find empty beer and alcohol containers, such as local parks. Law
enforcement officials believe that the product is being used for
'huffing," a process wherein a subject breathes the fumes of the
product to achieve a feeling of euphoria, similar to that of alcohol
or other narcotics. Officers have not encountered anyone actually
abusing the product locally, said Higdon.

A recent spike in sales of the same product also prompted the
management of Rite Aid stores in Fort Bragg to remove the item from
open shelves.

Harvey Weiss, executive director of the National Inhalant Prevention
Coalition (NIPC) in Austin, Texas said that upon reading the
information on the Advocate-News Website last week, he wanted to call
and offer more information about the problem, which he said is growing
nationwide.

According to Weiss, recent statistics show that the abuse of inhalants
by California youth has increased in recent years. NIPC also has
statistics saying that 20 percent of sixth grade students surveyed
have tried some type of inhalant abuse.

Saying that the issue was of serious concern to parents, Weiss added,
"Rite Aid should be commended for taking the action they did."

Colleen Creighton, education programs coordinator, at the Alliance for
Consumer Education in Washington, D.C., also contacted the
Advocate-News to say that they are in the process of creating an
inhalant abuse prevention package that they hope will later be
distributed to school and even law enforcement agencies around the
country.

"We want to let people know how widespread and serious it is," she
said. Creighton said that the group is speaking with parents of kids
in the sixth grade to high school age range to alert them to the
problem before it becomes a bigger issue.

The Alliance has also been in contact with manufacturers such as Sara
Lee, the producers of Endust, to develop warnings to consumers about
abuse of the product. According to Creighton, other companies, such as
SE Johnson and Con Agra Foods, have partnered with the Alliance to
communicate the dangers of inhalant abuse.

According to the National Conference on State Legislatures, 38 states
have adopted laws preventing the sale of such chemicals to minors.

Locally, Fort Bragg High School Principal Steve Snedeker said that
staff had not encountered inhalant abuse on campus. Snedeker said
staff has been consistent and strict in dealing with alcohol and drug
offenses, but the inhalant issue had not surfaced at the high school.

At Noyo High School and Coastal Adult School, Principal Mike Presley
reported the same, saying that staff had not encountered students
engaging in the abuse of such products.

Middle school Principal Scott Neistadt was unavailable and could not
be reached for comment.

The product is used to clean dust from computer keyboards and
electronics, using what appears to be compressed air, but is a mixture
of chemicals and propellants. Police are finding the Endust electronic
component cleaner, not the aerosol furniture polish commonly
associated with the Endust name.

Other commonly abused inhalants include glues, hair sprays, air
fresheners, cleaning agents, nail polish and paint removers, toluene,
gasoline and even lighter fluid.

"The creations they are coming up with are insane," Creighton said,
citing one new creation the organization has seen that involves a
mixture of cough suppressant and lighter fluid. Personnel have also
received reports that heavy drug users will abuse inhalants to mask
the "coming down" effects of cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamines.

Effects

According to many medical reports, the damage caused by prolonged
inhalant abuse can be found in every part of the body, but mostly to
the brain, nervous system and lungs.

Researchers have found that sudden sniffing death commonly occurs
within the period when the user is under the influence of the
inhalant. Sudden startling or increase in blood pressure will cause a
decrease in available blood to the body. The increased flow of
adrenaline to the brain causes cardiac arrest and death may occur
within minutes.

During a special segment on the subject, Weiss told CBS News Tuesday
that the abuse of inhalants by teens was comparable to "putting a gun
to your head."

According to a recent NIPC update, many studies have concluded that
common useage of the prescription drug Ritalin (methylphenedate), in
conjunction with huffing of correction fluid may prove fatal during
any sniffing episode. According to the NIPC Website, the possibility
of Sudden Sniffing Death could occur during any use, but the
adrenaline like effects of Ritalin may enhance the potential of a
fatal heart rhythm disturbance.

Symptoms

Symptoms of abuse may be an unusual odor on a person's breath, slurred
speech, paint on face, fingers and clothing, a loss of appetite or
nausea, sores around the mouth and nose, or a chemical odor on
clothing. Users or those under the influence of inhalants will often
smell their own hands and clothing, have very red eyes, and symptoms
similar to those caused by alcohol. Heavy inhalant users may seem
restless, anxious or agitated.

Locally, persons can get more information about inhalant and other
substance abuse at Alcohol and Other Drugs Programs (AODP) at 472-2637. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake