Would You Know If Your Child Was "Huffing"?


Schools are the prime areas for inhalant abuse! Yes, our public schools. Besides the things that girls and boys could take to school to use in the bathroom or at their lockers, our girls are painting correction fluid on their fingernails and sniffing it all day when in classes. Our boys paint it on their sleeve cuffs, roll them up, and sniff it while in their classes daily.

Is this legal? Yes, every ounce of it, because these products are for us to use in our daily living routines. Unfortunately, they are being used improperly! And, these types of products are cheap, easy to get (People don't get carded for buying whiteout!), leave no "tell-tale" track marks like those from needles, and the products can be in your face and under your nose and you would never know! (There are no "pipes" to find!) This is an "independent" abuse as well. What I mean by this, is that there are no "drug dealers" involved. But, children usually "huff" in groups. It is a quick, easy, high that gives a feeling of euphoria and can be hidden much better than a high from other, illegal drugs.

This is the "scariest" part...A CHILD CAN DIE THE VERY FIRST TIME THEY "HUFF." There is no way to tell how their bodies will react. THIS IS DEADLY!!!!!! How does this happen? Their hearts slow down and beat irregularly due to the "difluoroethane" in the product. If they, in turn, get excited, agitated, or nervous, the body's natural response is to release adrenaline, but because their heart is already beating irregularly due to the difluoroethane in their bodies, the adrenaline makes the abnormal rhythm worsen, and the heart stops, and a "sudden cardiac death" takes place.

If you want to be sure that your child or teen is not "huffing" be on the lookout for these signs and symptoms:

Are they anxious, excitable or irritable?
Do they have a loss of appetite and nausea?
Do their clothes or their breath smell like chemicals?
Do they have sores or spots around their mouths?
Do their clothes or their bodies have paint or stains on them?
Do they have a glassy-eyed look?
Do they look dazed or drunk?

If you suspect your child is "huffing," confront your child, move them away from their friends who may be potential abusers, and get help.

Call: National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Service at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) They are automated,

The copyright of the article Would You Know If Your Child Was "Huffing"? in Physical Education is owned by Gina Dronenburg. Permission to republish Would You Know If Your Child Was "Huffing"? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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