Danger
with Inhalants 
What are Inhalants?
Inhalants are gaseous substances that can be found in common household products such as hair spray, nail polish remover, cleaning fluids, gasoline, glue, lighter fluid, marking pens, paint thinners and more. Using inhalants is commonly called "sniffing." Some people would also like to use "bragging" which refers to putting their head into a bag filled with gasoline soaked rags. Inhalants are so common, most kids and many adults do not realize how dangerous, damaging, and deadly they really are.
Kids Could Pay A Price
For Inhaling... 
Kids often think that they could never be hurt by inhaling but, inhaling familiar household products could hurt children, teens, or adults. When inhaled through the mouth or nose, inhalants depress the central nervous system and displace the oxygen in the lungs. At first, users may lose self-control and feel giddy or drowsy. This then can cause unconsciousness. They can die from suffocation for three reasons:
| 1. | The nervous system is depressed to the point that breathing stops |
| 2. | The user is unable to remove the plastic bag from his or her head |
| 3. | The user suffocates from inhaling his or her own vomit |
Long Term Effects
Inhalant abusers may permanently lose their ability to walk, talk, and think. Inhalant abuse can damage a kid's brain, lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, the throat and nasal passages, and the central nervous system. It could also cause severe depression.
How to Spot
a Sniffer 
There is not a specific way to actually spot a sniffer but here are a couple of hints:
| * | A reddish line around his or her mouth |
| * | Not "acting right" |
| * | Chemical smell on the breath |
What to Do if You Know Someone Using Inhalants
Inhalants are very dangerous. They can take the life of a family member or friend. Don't hesitate to tell a parent, teacher, your D.A.R.E. Officer, or counselor. You might be saving this individuals life, not ratting them out!
