Sniffing, huffing, inhaling, dying ...
The dangers of getting high on household products

By Bobby Williams
Sherman High School

Trick question: Which is more dangerous -- heroin or glue?

The truth is, both are, but the latter is much more popular.

According to statistics for 1991-1996 obtained from the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition, the number of U.S. students who have used heroin is much less than the number of students who have sniffed, huffed, snorted or otherwise inhaled common household products. Surprisingly, the use of inhalants by middle and high school students increased dramatically from 1991 to 1995.

Every day, more and more drug awareness and prevention campaigns are launched. But the number of users increases. How is this possible?

Today's world revolves around the gathering of information. People want to know anything about everything. More is known today about the effects of drug abuse than a decade ago and the information is much more widespread. But the use of drugs and poisons -- especially inhalants -- is more popular.

Household products such as glue, cleaning solutions, gasoline, correction fluid and other substances found right at home are the number-one choices of many people seeking a high. These highly uncontrolled substances affect the body in many ways. Repeated inhalation of nitrous oxide, which is the gas used in whipped cream cans, especially affects the peripheral nervous system and can result in numbness or complete paralysis.

Chronic abusers of the substance toluene (a solvent) can go deaf because of the destruction of cells that send sound messages to the brain. They also can experience sight disorders.

Other effects of inhalants include the breakdown of muscle tone, weakness, lack of oxygen carried in the bloodstream, memory loss, learning disabilities, personality changes, permanent destructive mental and physical conditions, and ultimately, death.

So the question is, "Why do people use these products?" Substance abusers often believe that nothing can hurt them, or say, "I've done it before." The truth is, the effects of inhalants can be noticed after the first time, the fourth time, or maybe not even until the last time. Substance abuse is absolutely unpredictable, but continued use does mean that there will eventually be a last time.

Organizations such as the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition work solely to promote awareness of the effects of inhalant use and related prevention campaigns. One of the organization's many efforts includes the sponsorship of a "National Inhalant Prevention and Awareness Week" in March. More than 800 organizations participated in the last NIPAW campaign by sponsoring activities, education and counseling programs.

When will society learn that the uncontrolled use of unknown substances and the abuse of prescribed medical supplies, is not cool or brave? It is an insane, stupid and unpredictable practice that can lead to death, paralysis or just a really messed-up life. The bottom line is, using drugs is only cheating one's self.

For information on National Inhalant Prevention and Awareness Week or the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition, visit www.inhalants.org.