Inhalants Are on the Rise in Youth
The types of drugs being abused by today's youth are growing at an alarming rate. What is the most dangerous of these drugs as far as harming the body? Some people may say that cocaine is becoming the most dangerous of drugs. Others may say that it is heroin or marijuana. A great majority may say that alcohol has the reputation as the most dangerous drug. All of these are very dangerous and have great potential to hurt youth but are not the most dangerous drugs from a harm and availability standpoint. The answer might very well surprise most people. The use of inhalants has increased to 19.4 percent in 1993 to make it the third most widely abused substance in high school students.
Some may ask what are inhalants and why are they so dangerous. Inhalants are any of more than 1,400 legal household products sold over the counter that can be sniffed to produce a high. Markers, white out, hair spray, spray paint, gasoline, and most other household cleaning products are a few of the many things that can be used as inhalants. Several things make inhalants the most dangerous of drugs.
Unlike most other drugs, inhalants are very easy to obtain. They are readily available, inexpensive, and as a result, very easy to abuse. Most households have potential inhalants in them as they are very common items and necessary in everyday life. In addition, they are available at grocery stores, hardware stores, and convenience stores for very little cost. It is this availability that makes it such a popular drug among children less than fourteen years old. Users as young as six years old have been found using inhalants. It is definitely an area for concern in youth for this reason.
Another dangerous aspect of inhalants is the poisons contained in them. The vapors from inhalants dissolve the fatty tissue in the brain and affect the ability to walk, talk, and think. It also causes irreversible damage to other internal organs like the lungs, liver, heart, and brain. They can cause loss of consciousness, heart failure, and suffocation. Most important to remember is that inhalants can kill the first time used. It is the toxicity of inhalant materials that make it a very dangerous drug group.
As with any drug there are warning signs of inhalant abuse. Physical signs to look for in potential users are numerous unexplained empty aerosol cans and stains on the hands or around the nose and mouth. There may also be a loss of coordination and muscle spasms. Users might also suffer from frequent nosebleeds, have sores around the nose and mouth, and chronic bloodshot eyes. Mental signs might include confusion, extreme forgetfulness, and sudden blackouts. If someone shows any of these warning signs, it is imperative to seek help for them immediately.
Inhalants are dangerous to the brain and the body. They are by far the most poisonous of all drugs and can cause irreversible damage to all body systems. By limiting access to these kinds of household products and locking up cleaning products it is possible to significantly decrease the chances of inhalant abuse by youth. The important thing to remember is that just because something is helpful or necessary does not mean that it is totally safe from risk. For more information on this or other drug related topics contact Heartland Human Services.