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Police urge awareness of inhalant abuse
Published 12/2/2009 in Local News
By RACHAEL GRAY
Sgt. Michael Reagle of the Garden City Police Department says it's an unknown problem to most people.
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Laurie Sisk/Telegram Common household items often are used as inhalants, which deliver a quick high. Police are finding an increase in abuse of these substances.
Reagle said officers are finding an abundance of aerosol cans around the city ¬-- cans officers believe people are using to get high.
"People always think of drugs and alcohol as the main problem, but kids can get access to these items easier," he said.
Inhalant abuse has become a problem in Garden City, Reagle said — mostly among youth, but adults also are known to abuse inhalants, he said
The act of "huffing" vapors and gases from the inhalants provides a quick high, Reagle said.
The reason kids have such easy access to inhalants is because most are household items, he said.
Common items used as inhalants include spray paint, gasoline, nail polish remover, glue, gasoline, cooking sprays and paint thinner.
The most common inhalants presently, Reagle said, are computer cleaner and canned whip cream.
"Kids can buy these items without a problem," he said.
Those who use inhalants appear drunk, have slurred speech and may have stains on their faces from the items. Red and runny noses also are common, Reagle said.
Side effects can include loss of consciousness, as well as kidney, liver, lung and brain damage, Reagle said.
The most severe side effect is Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome.
"It could be your first or your last time you use," Reagle said, meaning the syndrome can happen at any point in use.
Concerned parents should look for an appearance of drunkenness without alcohol use; hidden items that could be used as inhalants in backpacks, rooms or vehicles; odors, sores and rashes.
"Parents need to be aware of it," Reagle said.
He said that although most cases of inhalant abuse are found in juveniles, adults have been known to use.
"Even business people in their 40s, we've come across abusing items," he said.
Reagle encourages residents to learn about the dangers of inhalant abuse.
"Help us in stopping it before it gets to be a bigger problem," he said.
For more information about inhalant abuse, call the GCPD at 276-1300, or visit inhalants.org.
Found 1 comment(s)!
Inhalents and dangers
I really hope parents take head to this message. If the police are talking about it then it is a problem or the beginnigs of one that they are asking for parents and friends to educate themselves on what is going on. No parent wants learn that they may not know their child as well as they think. But it happens more often than we would like. It is so hard today to keep up on all of the activities that are emerging for young teens. Garden City is in a turning point of changes for teens and activities they do in their spare time. Things that parents may never have dreamed of doing as a teen and don't understand the reasons for doing them, but it is a necessity to educate yourselves to help in supporting and guiding young teens. I know myself that raising a teenager is hard enough with out all of the extras thrown in. Teens go through so many growth spurts emotionaly that they sometimes are unpredictable. I believe that it does take a community to raise a child. Even if you don't have teens educating yourself is still a positive thing. Friends and family can make the biggest difference.
Posted by: Concerned but optimistic for our city on 12/3/2009