Inhalants

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What are inhalants?
Inhalants are ordinary household products such as window cleaner, hair spray, glue, paint, etc., which are “inhaled” or “sniffed” by the user. There are over 1,000 products in the home and on the market which can be used by children as inhalants.

What do inhalants do to the body?
Inhalants are absorbed into the bloodstream within seconds. They affect the brain, lungs, liver and kidneys by slowing the flow of oxygen and replacing it with vapor. This causes the user to feel “high” and experience effects such as dizziness, slurred speech and hallucinations.

What are the effects of inhalant abuse?
Short-term effects:

Nausea/dizziness
Sneezing/coughing/nosebleeds
Lack of coordination/impaired judgement
Slurred speech/blurred vision
Aggression/hostility
Hallucinations/paranoia
Severe headaches
Acute poisoning
Depression

Long-term effects:

Hepatitis
Bone marrow, liver and kidney damage
Hearing and visual impairment
Ongoing hallucinations
Irreversible brain damage
Lowered I.Q.

How to prevent the rise of inhalant abuse.

Educate yourself and the young people you know about the dangers of inhalant use.
Open communication. Find out what children know about inhalant abuse and have them talk about the problems they are facing at school and home.
Teach “refusal skills”. Teach children to say “NO” and give them positive alternatives and activities.

Look for the signs:

Behavior

Mood swings
Personality changes
Defensiveness
Withdrawal from family activities
Change in dress style and friends
School problems
Anxious behavior
A tendency to manipulate
Lack of self-discipline

Appearance

Fatigue Bloodshot eyes
Dilated pupils
Frequent colds, coughing
Chronic running nose
Stumbling, shaking hands
Run-down condition
Sudden weight change
Chemical smell on the breath
Residue around the nose and mouth

Related Website:
National Inhalant Prevention Coalition
This site specializes in inhalant prevention and awareness education.

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Jail Diversion and Crime Prevention
Youth Services Department
3026 South California, Building 1, 2nd floor
Chicago, Illinois 60608
Phone 773-869-4711 Fax 773-869-7514
ccysd@cookcountysheriff.org