Killers in Our Home
by We are aware of the drugs in our medicine cabinets s as Ativan, Oxycodone, and Hydrocodone. Yet theres been a form of drug use thats been around just as long. Its huffing everday products to get high.
Are we supplying our own children with mind-altering Substances? In the year 2006, studies showed that 4.7 million teenagers have used inhalants. A government survey showed that 598,000 kids between the ages of 12 and 17 have tried inhalants for first time.
The most common used inhalants are: paint thinners, paint removers, degreasers, gasoline, glues, correction fluids, felt-tip markers, furnisher dusting spray, spray paint, spray deodorants, hair spray, cooking spray, fabric protectors, butane lighters, propane tanks, and Nitrous Oxide, commonly called “laughing gas”, which is found in whipped cream dispensers.
Inhalants can be breathed in through the nose and mouth, which is commonly called, sniffing, snorting or huffing.
Inhalants can be sprayed directly into the mouth or nose, and they can be sprayed into plastic bags, jugs or on rags, or breathed in through a common drinking straw, which is
called huffing.
Inhalants absorb rapidly through the lungs and blood stream, where they quickly reach the brain and organs.
Prolonged use of inhalants can cause severe medical problems such as: vomiting, falls, weight loss, muscle weakness, depression, tumors, rapid heart rhythms, heart failure, asphyxiation, suffocation, loss of consciousness, and sudden sniffing death syndrome, caused when the starts beating erratically, then stops after inhalants are taken.
Signs to watch for, if your child is using inhalants: slurred speech, odd smelling breath, loss of coordination, dizziness, disorientation, inattentiveness, irritability, belligerence, apathy, impaired judgment, delusions and hallucinations.
I know all kids say, “Mom and Dad, you need to respect my privacy.” but you should notice if they have inhalants or rags that smell of gas or other inhalants in their room Notice if any inhalants are missing or not where they should be and watch for smudges on the face, specially around the nose and mouth.
Most Kids don’t even realize how dangerous use of these inhalants can be, so talk to your kids. Start talking to them about inhalants as young as between their sixth and eleventh year. Be open and honest with them. Don’t be afraid to tell them that inhalants can kill. Let them know you understand how hard it is to stand up against peer pressure.
Discuss with your child the dangers, but not the detail of what inhalants is out there. Don’t argue but talk to your child, make sure they know they can come to you for anything.
There is all kinds of help out there, drug help lines, teachers, your pastor, or the Community Health Organizations.
Most important, is to be apart of your child’s life. Spend as much time with your children as you can, know who their friends are, and where they’re going to be. Keep the lines of communication between you and your children. Encourage them to pursue goals, after school supervised activities and interests.
Talk, laugh, cry and pray with your children.
Educate yourself and your children, inhalants are out there ready to kill the unsuspecting user. Don’t be ashamed to ask for help, because help is also out there.
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