forms of inhalants

• Volatile Solvents

  • liquids that easily vaporize into a gas

  • eg. butane gas fumes, gasoline, paint thinners

• Aerosols

  • substances enclosed under pressure and able to be released as a fine spray, typically by means of a propellant gas

  • eg. deodorant, hair spray, vegetable oil spray

• Gases

  • substances or pieces of matters in a states in which they will expand freely to fill the whole of a container, having no fixed shape and no fixed volume

  • eg. spray paint, lighter fluid, nitrous oxide

• Nitrates

  • a salt or ester of nitric acid, containing the anion NO3− or the group —NO3.

  • eg. amyl, butyl, cyclohexyl nitrites

effects of inhalants

• Belligerence

  • aggressive or warlike behavior

• Apathy

  • lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern

• Impaired Judgement

  • a medical condition that results in a person not being able to make good decisions because of an underlying medical problem, environmental factors, diet, or drugs and alcohol

• Lethargy

  • a lack of energy and enthusiasm; a pathological state of sleepiness or deep unresponsiveness and inactivity

• Inability to coordinate movements

  • a lack of coordination, especially the inability to use different parts of the body together smoothly and efficiently

legal consequences

• Minnesota: fine of up to 1,000 and/or up to 90 days in prison

signs of inhalant abuse

• Chemical odors on breath or clothing

• Paint or other stains on face, hands, or clothing

• Drunk/disoriented appearance

• Nausea

strategies for drug (ab)use prevention in high schools

ThinkSmart Curriculum:

1. Refusal skills

2. Minimalizing peer use of inhalants

3. Stopping normalization of inhalant use

4. Knowledge of drug-related consequences

5. Assertiveness skills

6. Cultural identity

Minnesota inhalant treatment programs

Burkwood Treatment Center (Residential Program)

Anthony Louis Center (Residential Program)

fast facts + statistics about drug use

• Most commonly abused drug in the Twin Cities: prescription drugs

• What helps/hinders the success of drug treatment:?

  • Helps: personalized courses/programs, residential care, support from friends and family members

  • Hinders: social isolation, lack of support, peers that also abuse drugs

• How effective is treatment?

  • Average residential stay at both facilities was roughly 40 days, and although success rates are not explicitly stated, the majority of residents remain sober