Inhalant Abuse Remains A Danger

Fewer teens are getting high by inhaling common household products, but with 3,400 products available for dangerous "huffing," prevention efforts are still sorely needed, according to a new study released this week.

"The numbers are shocking," said Colleen Creighton, executive director of the Alliance of Consumer Education, a nonprofit group that fights inhalant abuse. "People will say it doesn't happen in my community, it isn't an issue. But it is."

The new study, which appeared in the latest issue of the medical journal Pediatrics, examined the National Poison Data System (NPDS) from 1993 to 2008. It found 35,453 cases in which a person was treated for intentional inhalant poisoning. In 208 cases, the person died.

While the number of annual cases declined over time by 33 percent, the study by Melinda R. Marsolek, Nicole C. White and Dr. Toby L. Litovitz showed inhalant abuse remains a serious problem, especially among young teens.

Of the 22,311 cases where the outcome was known, most were resolved in emergency rooms. However, about 10 percent of patients ended up in intensive care and another 8 percent were referred to psychiatric units.

The NPDS also found that some 3,400 different products were now being abused, or 2,000 more products than were reported in previous estimates.

Propellants — especially aerosol sprays used to clean computer keyboards or other dust-collecting furniture — were the most commonly abused products. Gasoline and paint were also frequently misused. Products with the highest fatality rates included butane, propane and air fresheners.

The reason people inhale noxious chemicals is because it can cause brief euphoria and "fun" sensations, anti-inhalant-abuse advocates say.

A public service ad by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America shows several teens laughing as they spin and stumble around in a grassy area at night. But one boy falls to the ground, and even though a girl shakes him and cries his name repeatedly, his face shows that he has already died.

Parents should warn their children that they die from inhalant abuse, the ad counsels. "Even the first time."

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