A CHAT WITH

Amanda Hopkins Wants To Raise Awareness Of Drug Inhalation

'If they knew the risks, they would be less likely to try it'

It was good news to drug counselors that the use of alcohol and tobacco
products is down among teens.

But there's something else that's flying under the radar, and it's causing
death for about 22 percent of first-time users.

Referred to as "huffing," "sniffing" or "bagging" among abusers, the
practice involves inhaling everyday, legal products to achieve a high.

"Inhalant use is up due in part to availability, and it's cheaper and the
perceived risks are less," said Amanda Hopkins, director of prevention
education and training at the Jackson Area Council on Alcoholism and Drug
Dependency. "There are between 1,000 to 1,400 chemicals that can be used
for huffing."

So why isn't there more awareness of the problem?

"We don't talk about inhalants as much, but they are a form of drug abuse,"
Hopkins said. "They are a gateway drug, which means it leads to other abuse."

In 2001, more white students were using inhalants than Hispanic or black
students. By gender, more girls used inhalants in the eighth grade than
boys, but more boys were using in the 12th grade than girls, according to
the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

The Jackson Sun sat down with Hopkins to discuss the problem and plans for
an upcoming public workshop for parents and teachers.

Question: How can parents make their homes huff proof? Is that even possible?

Answer: Parents need to monitor everything. Any chemicals should be stored
in an area that is not easily accessible.

Q: In your interactions with teens that are huffing, how have they
explained the attraction for the highly dangerous activity?

A: They say it's an easy high. Many times they are not aware of the
dangers. If they knew the risks, they would be less likely to try it.

Q: What are the signs that a teen is huffing?

A: They will have chemical breath and sores around the mouth. The teen will
be nauseous and will seem anxious and irritable. Parents should be aware if
they have found bags that have been sprayed in and if they discover
chemical-soaked rags or old clothes.

Q: Where did the misconception come from that huffing isn't drug abuse or
that it's safer than other drugs?

A: They don't think of huffing as a drug because the chemicals they use are
readily available and they didn't have to purchase them illegally.

Q: What are the side effects of huffing?

A: A user will have loss of feeling in their arms and legs, along with
impaired speech. They may also experience hallucinations and have red eyes.
It's sad, really, because teens don't understand all the damage they're
causing to their bodies. They can lose their ability to smell and suffer
permanent brain, liver and kidney damage; and hearing and short-term memory
loss.

Q: How many teens in the West Tennessee or Jackson-Madison County area has
JACOA treated for inhalant abuse?

A: We've had several deaths that we know of in Madison County, but I don't
have a specific number. We're looking into ways to become more attentive
and better screen for those who are abusing. Tennessee ranks seventh in the
nation for inhalant abuse, so we really need to get the education out there.

If You Go

An inhalant abuse awareness workshop will be held at Liberty Technology
High School Auditorium from 6 to 8 p.m. March 15 and is open to the public.

For more information, contact Amanda Hopkins with Jackson Area Council on
Alcoholism and Drug Dependency at 423-3653 or Hilda Little at 423-6140.