Pubdate: Thu, 19 Aug 1999
Source: Times, The (UK)
Copyright: 1999 Times Newspapers Ltd
Contact:  http://www.the-times.co.uk/

PARENTS WARN AS TEENAGER DIES SNIFFING GAS

A GRIEVING parent yesterday warned of the dangers of sniffing butane
gas after her teenage son was found dead in his bedroom.

Benjamin Halden, an Alevel student, was discovered slumped forward on
his bed with a gas cannister in his hand last week. His father Michael
gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and his wife tried to revive him
with heart massage until an ambulance crew arrived, but he was dead on
arrival at hospital in Taunton, Somerset.

Ben, who was preparing to take A levels in English, sociology and
business studies next year, planned a career in business or computers.
His mother, Sue, a counsellor with training in drugs and solvent abuse
awareness, said yesterday: "We always talked to Ben about the dangers
of drugs, Aids and smoking and we had the most open relationship you
could imagine.

"He was the last person you would expect to do something like this. He
had an enormous sense of fun and used to joke that he was doing his
teenage rebellion by being straight and responsible."

She added: "His best friend came round and found him lying on the bed.
He thought he was asleep because he looked so peaceful and it took him
a few minutes to realise he wasn't having a joke." Warning of the
dangers of solvent abuse, the 48-year-old, from Wellington, Somerset,
said: "Butane can kill without warning and your first sniff could be
your last.

"Ben died without warning. He had no chance to cry out. I want other
parents to be aware of the dangers. There are no signs and nothing to
look out for, except maybe empty cans.

"They can just go to their room normal, have a quick high and come
down normal half an hour later. But the message is that it can kill
you at any time." 

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