Sucking the Life From Your Child

The Dangers of Inhalants

By Sue Marquette Poremba

Barbara Schroeder talks about sucking helium from balloons, which makes her voice sound like Minnie Mouse. "I get a little light-headed, but it's no big deal," says Schroeder of York, Pa. When told that breathing in helium is using an inhalant drug, Schroeder protests. "It is not," she says. "Everybody does it. It's funny." She pauses and asks about smelling markers. That, too, is an inhalant drug. "I had no idea," Schroeder says with a frown.

That's the problem. Most people don't know much about inhalant drugs, or if they are familiar with things like sniffing glue or "huffing," many parents don't realize that common household items are used by their kids to get high.

In 2004, CNN.com reported that inhalant use is rising among adolescents. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America reports that sixth graders are exposed to inhalants when they enter middle school. Research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) shows children as young as fourth grade are abusing inhalants.

One reason inhalants are growing in popularity among young people is because they are so accessible. They are readily available in cabinets under the kitchen sink, in a box of school supplies or next to the computer. Kids are sniffing air freshener or inhaling the compressed air used to clean keyboards. It's a quick, easy high, using ordinary household products.

Oftentimes, kids don't consider it drug use because they aren't using an illegal substance, like marijuana. However, inhalants are among the most dangerous – if not the most dangerous – substance abuse. The short-lived high is caused by a deprivation of oxygen to the brain.

Inhalant use can kill the first time – or any time – because the lack of oxygen can cause cardiopulmonary arrest. Regular or chronic use of inhalants can damage the brain, liver, kidneys, heart and lungs. Freon can cause internal frostbite. Users can suffocate (from putting plastic bags over the head, for example) or choke to death.

Want to see more?

• Straight Talk: Giving Your Kids the Facts About Drugs
• No Butts About It: Talking to Your Kids About Smoking
• Puffing Up: Taking a Stand on Youth Cigarette Smoking
• Talk about it!