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THE DANGERS OF INHALANTS

Learn about the dangers of inhaling household products to get high. Inhalants are poisons that can cause serious injury or even death. Find out about the physical and psychological effects of inhalant abuse, the legal consequences, and real-life stories of those affected.

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THE DANGERS OF INHALANTS

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  1. THEDANGERSOFINHALANTS  Human Relations Media •www.hrmvideo.com • 800-431-2050

  2. Inhalants are ordinary household products that some kids sniff to get high. These chemicals are POISONS. A single sniff can KILL you! More than a million kids abuse inhalants every year. Some kids talk about huffing or bagging—this is slang for abusing chemicals in order to get high. WHAT ARE INHALANTS?

  3. Inhalants are common household products that serve a legitimate purpose, but were NEVER intended to be abused. POISONS IN YOUR HOME

  4. Inhalants are everywhere—in your home, your school and your supermarket. There are over 1,000 different products that can be abused. POISONS IN YOUR HOME

  5. Just because a product is sold legally does NOT mean it's safe to inhale! POISONS IN YOUR HOME

  6. Many household products contain toxic ingredients that can cause serious injury—or even death—if misused. POISONS IN YOUR HOME

  7. Q: What happens if you inhale the vapors in paint, glue, nail polish remover, felt-tip markers, correction fluid or other inhalant products? A: You are substituting POISON for the oxygen that your body needs. A LOOK INSIDE You can die the first time you try an inhalant!

  8. hallucinations terrifying mood swings asphyxiation suffocation sudden death ONE SNIFF CAN KILL YOU! Using inhalants even ONCE can put you at risk for: You will experience heart palpitations, dizziness, nausea and difficulty breathing every time you inhale.

  9. In 38 states, laws exist to prevent the sale, use or distribution to minors of any product that can be abused as an inhalant. INHALANTS AND THE LAW In some states, being found guilty of inhalant abuse can lead to a hefty fine or mandatory addiction treatment—not to mention jail time.

  10. A person who is sniffing inhalants might show these signs of abuse: PORTRAIT OF A HUFFER • paint stains on body or clothing • sores around the nose and mouth • drunk or dazed appearance • hostility or aggression • chemical odor on breath or clothes • red or watery eyes • hand tremors • slurred speech

  11. The body reacts immediately after inhalation. These physical effects can range from mild to extremely severe. SHORT-TERM EFFECTS • runny nose • slurred speech • unconsciousness • blurry double vision • sensitivity to light • nausea and vomiting • seizures • reduced reflexes • loss of appetite • nosebleeds • diarrhea • drowsiness There is also the possibility of death!

  12. The psychological effects of inhalants tend to be very powerful and immediate. Common emotional responses include: INHALANTS AND THE MIND • panic • hallucinations • confusion • dazed feeling • bizarre dreams • extreme violence • disorientation

  13. Brain Inhalants can dissolve the protective coating on brain cells and cause these neurons to die. If that happens, the result is permanent brain damage. INHALANTS AND THE BODY Sight and Sound Some inhalants destroy the special cells that send sound waves to the brain. Chronic abusers can become deaf. Other inhalants affect vision and may even cause blindness.

  14. INHALANTS AND THE BODY Nervous System Certain inhalants can cause numbness, seizures or even permanent paralysis. Many of these chemicals have a lasting effect on the nervous system. LungsInhaling aerosol sprays can cause lung damage, even with one sniff. Some inhalants can freeze or coat the lining of the throat and lungs, making it impossible to breathe.

  15. HeartAbuse of inhalants can result in Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome. Death is caused by an abrupt disturbance of the heart's rhythm. INHALANTS AND THE BODY BloodSome inhalants contain chemicals that reduce the blood's ability to carry oxygen. This means that a person cannot absorb the oxygen that is brought into the lungs.

  16. Sudden Sniffing Death SyndromeThe heart may "short circuit" from the sudden surge of toxic chemicals entering the system. WAYS TO DIE SuffocationWith each huff, the inhalant abuser deprives his body of more and more oxygen —sometimes so completely that the abuser suffocates. ChokingMany inhalants cause vomiting. Abusers may choke to death on their own vomit. Other RisksMany inhalants are highly flammable and can cause severe burns.

  17. Anthony Morris By the time he turned 13, Anthony Morris was already 6 feet 3 inches tall and a powerful presence on his school's basketball team. While in seventh grade, he experimented with an inhalant. The hallucinations he experienced were so gruesome he told his mother that he could never touch inhalants again. But two months later, he and a friend decided to try again. This second experiment proved fatal. ANTHONY'S STORY

  18. Freddy Bustaque 16-year-old Freddy Bustaque loved playing baseball and working with computers. Freddy didn't believe that huffing was dangerous. One evening Freddy went into his bedroom, turned on his TV and decided to huff from an aerosol can. He took one last breath and died of cardiac arrest. The next morning, his father found Freddy lying lifeless in his bed. The can was still in his hand. FREDDY'S STORY

  19. Jennifer Nicole Wilson At 15, Jennifer Nicole Wilson was an honor student, a cheerleader, and active in tap, jazz and ballet. She was nominated for Homecoming Queen. Two days after her 15th birthday, Jennifer went out on her first date. That night she died in a head-on car crash caused by a teenager who was under the influence of inhalants and had passed out behind the steering wheel. Jennifer was killed instantly. JENNIFER'S STORY

  20. Now that you’ve learned how inhalants can harm the body, share your knowledge with others! Read the labels on all household products. Watch out for poisons like butane, propane, fluorocarbons or toluene. Inhaling these products is extremely dangerous. If you know someone who is abusing inhalants, help that person NOW. Talk to a school counselor, friend or parent. WHAT CAN I DO?

  21. If someone you know is sniffing inhalants and appears to be in a state of crisis, it's important to know how to react. You could save a friend's life. FIRST AID TIPS • Stay calm. It's important not to panic. • Dial 911. If the person has stopped breathing, administer CPR until an ambulance arrives. • If the person is conscious, keep him or her calm. People who sniff inhalants may suddenly become aggressive. • Make sure the area is well ventilated. Open a window if necessary. • Try to determine the kind of inhalant that was abused. • Wait with the person until help arrives.

  22. Experimenting with inhalants just doesn't make sense. If someone tries to get you to huff, use one of these methods to keep yourself safe. WAYS TO SAY NO! CHANGE THE SUBJECT I almost forgot—I need to use the phone. OFFER INFORMATIONDon't you know that stuff can kill you? GIVE A COMPLIMENTCool CD, when did you get it?

  23. WAYS TO SAY NO! PROTECT YOURSELFNo way! I'd be grounded forever if my parents found out. SUGGEST SOMETHING ELSE I'm hungry. Want to get some pizza? USE HUMORHey, did you hear the one about…?

  24. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention http://prevention.samhsa.gov Join Together www.jointogether.org National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information http://ncadi.samhsa.gov GETTING HELP

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