DRUGS

'Dead' Heads

Talk about a death wish.

According to a recent Associated Press story out of Philadelphia, the
newest drug of choice has "undertaker" written all over it.

It seems young people who are old hands in the drug scene are looking for a
new "high." Their search has taken them to a new low: embalming fluid.

Embalming fluid is a mix of formaldehyde, methanol, ethanol and other
solvents. Commonly used in mortuaries to help preserve corpses, it provides
"recreational" users a different kind of high. It also can induce side
effects that can be deadly to users and the unfortunate people they
encounter while under the influence.

Some of side effects include hallucinations, euphoria, a feeling of
invincibility, increased pain tolerance, anger, forgetfulness and paranoia.

Even if they survive the initial hit, abusers of embalming fluid face
long-term health risks. Formaldehyde, for example, is a known carcinogen.

A troubling aspect of embalming fluid is that it is frequently used with,
or confused for PCP, a drug with a long, sad history of violent
consequences. PCP is sometimes called embalming fluid in street slang,
adding more danger to an already dangerous brew.

But the main problem with embalming fluid is that it is perfectly legal.
That means police are powerless to stop its use. They can only wait until
an abuser acts out in a violent manner.

That does not mean society is powerless. As with all forms of substance
abuse, the first line of defense is the family. When parents stay involved
with their children - to the point of being intrusive - substance abuse is
less of a risk.

When parents themselves are - for whatever reason - incapable of guiding
their children, the definition of family has to expand to include the
entire community.

As with all other substance-abuse threats that take root in our cities,
embalming fluid is heading this way. The substance already is rampant on
the streets of Philadelphia and Reading. If the trend follows its usual
route, the fluid next will be flowing to Sunbury and its neighbors.

We shouldn't panic, but we should be prepared.