INHALENTS

WHAT ARE INHALANTS?

• Inhalants are toxic vapors that produce a mind altering effect
• Inhalants are volatile solvents, aerosols, gases or nitrates

HOW DO THEY WORK?

• When inhaled they make you feel relaxed
• All except nitrates depress the CNS to have a relaxing effect
• They can cause permanent brain damage or death

WHY DO PEOPLE USE INHALANTS?

• People use inhalants when they are depressed
• They are easier to get access to than other drugs
• They are not very expensive because they are in household items

SHORT TERM EFFECTS

• Body: slurred speech and dazed or uncoordinated appearance
• Brain: hallucinations,impaired judgment, unconsciousness, headaches, depression

LONG TERM EFFECTS

• Body: muscle weakness, disorientation, hearing loss, and heart, liver, kidneys, and lung damage
• Brain: brain damage, memory loss, and depression
• Death

DEATHS

• Heart failure: inhalants cause the heart to beat to fast
• Oxygen loss: some inhalants take oxygen out of your body and you can no longer breath

BRAIN DAMAGE

• Many inhalants are known to dissolve brain cells
• This creates loss of memory and intelligence

SIGNS THAT SOMEONE IS USING INHALANTS?

• Anxiety, dazed appearance, runny nose, chemical smelling breath

STREET NAMES

• Gluey, huff, rush, whippets, bagging, air blast, sniff, buzz bomb, moon gas, and snot balls

STATISTICS

• 1.1 million teens used inhalants in the U.S. In the past year
• 1 of five kids use inhalants before 8th grade
• 22.9 million Americans have used inhalants at some point

BIBLIOGRAPHY