Inhalants and solvents

“ Deadly, Dangerous Right under your nose”

Medical law states .....

DRUGS : Any chemical substance that affects the processes of the mind or body

DRUG ABUSE : An excessive or improper use of drugs, especially through self-administration for nonmedical purposes.

Year nine drug knowledge

94%

6%

Knowledge2Don't know what inhalents and solvents are.Know what inhalents and solvents are

78%

22%

Column1Are aware of the consequencesUnaware of the consequences

• 86 % of year nines surveyed believed that the severity of Inhalants on a scale of one to ten with ten being most severe inhalants ranked 6

•Only 12 % of those surveyed believe they have someone who they could talk to if they had issues about drugs.

What are inhalants and solvents?“Inhalants and solvents are ordinary household items that can be abused by

inhaling.”

Abuse of inhalants and solvents is most common among adolescents and younger children , especially between the ages of 13 to 19.

Easily and cheaply available they are exposed to young people daily some include glues, gasoline, rubber cement, aerosols, antifreeze, correcting fluid,

room deodorizers, paint thinners, nail polish removers, shoe polish, cooking sprays, and household cleaners and permanent markers sound familiar?

Inhalants and solvents can be habit forming because they contain addictive elements.

Sudden sniffing death (SSF) can result from a single use

Once the vapors enter the body, some are absorbed by parts of the brain and nervous system. All of the inhalants (except nitrites) slow down the body's functions effects are similar to that of drinking alcohol.

MANUAL: Methods to inhale or use solvents

• Inhaling gas or vapours from bags or balloons ("bagging")

• Drinking solvents mixed with alcohol • Sniffing directly from containers • Spraying aerosols directly into mouth • Inhaling through a soaked cloth or other material placed directly over the mouth ("huffing") • Heating and inhaling • Injection

Effects Long term effects :• Tiredness • Tremors • Paleness in appearance • Weight loss • Memory loss • Liver and Kidney damage • Degenerative brain disease

(leaded petrol) • Thirst • Irregular heartbeat, damage

to heart muscle • Depression • Hostility • Loss of hearing and smell • Long term users may feel

irritable, hostile depressed and victimized

Inhalants can be deadly, way they can kill include:Cardiac arrest – when heart beats irregularly and then stopsAsphyxia — Toxic fumes replace oxygen in the lungs so that a person stops breathingSuicide from depressionInjuries: while being high people may make bad decisions, not think before doing something e.g. drive while high

desired side effects•Hallucinations •Euphoria •Reduced inhibitions •Excitement

Unwanted Side Effects :•Slurred Speech •Convulsions •Tightening of the chest •Blood nose •Headache •Dizziness •Rapid heartbeat •Delusions •Confusion and Disorientation •Vomiting •Double vision •Eye and throat irritation •Bloodshot eyes •Sores around the mouth and nose •Nausea

IT’S AGAINST THE LAW ...

Legally :o Inhalant use is not a criminal offence in any Australian

state or territory. They can’t make inhalants illegal. They are just ordinary products many people use for un harmful purposes everyday.

o In Victoria police have the power to take people under custody, search them and take away any items used to inhale.

o In Victoria shop keepers are allowed to refuse the sale of solvent to customers

LegalInhalant use is not a criminal offence in any Australian state or territory. They can’t make inhalants illegal. They are just ordinary products many people useIn victoria police have the power to take people under custody, search them and take away any items used to inhale.In victoria shop keepers are allowed to refuse the sale of solvent to customers

Nangs

poppers

bulbs

glue

gas

sniff

huffchroming

“ Deadly, Dangerous Right under your nose”

Help Wanted•Kids helpline (Ph.1800 55 1800)•For information on drugs got to -http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/ •For anonymous help go to –Drug and alcohol services on 1300 34 1340

Our Campaign

Hey I recognise that sign !If someone you know shows these signs they maybe using inhalants or solvents and you should notify someone immediately.

•Have the odour of solvents or inhalants on breath or clothes •Experience slurred speech or disorientation or have difficulty moving •Have a runny nose or rash around the mouth or nose •Attempt to obtain paraphernalia (sprays, propane, lighter fluid, nail polish remover), paper bags, and balloons •Experience personality changes (especially with increased recklessness or fearlessness), poor judgment, and loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities •Behave evasively or lie about activities or whereabouts