PARENTS TOLD OF INHALANTS' DANGER

Seemingly harmless items such as bleach and nail polish remover can become
deadly in the hands of a child using such chemicals to experiment with
"huffing." Children using inhalants can die the first time, the third time
or the 100th time they experiment, said Ben Brown, deputy commissioner for
substance abuse services at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and
Substance Abuse Services.

The week of March 17-23 is National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week,
designed to educate parents and others about the dangers of inhalant abuse.
"Many parents may not realize that more than 1,000 household products can
be used as inhalants," Brown said.

Airplane glue, rubber cement, paint thinner, nail polish remover, bleach,
kerosene, felt tip markers, butane, gasoline, spot remover, vegetable
cooking spray and propane are considered dangerous when inhaled.

"Inhalants may be the first substance a child uses -- before marijuana,
tobacco or alcohol," Brown said. "National studies suggest that inhalant
abuse reaches its peak at some point during the seventh through ninth grades."

In 2001, 9.1 percent of eighth-graders, 6.6 percent of 10th-graders and 4.5
percent of 12th-graders nationally reported using inhalants in the past
year. Inhalants are popular with children because they are widely
available, inexpensive, easy to conceal and legal, he said.

Brown said parents should be aware of symptoms of inhalant use, including
chemical odors on breath or clothing; paint or other stains on the face,
hands or clothes; drunk or disoriented appearance; slurred speech;
inattentiveness; lack of coordination; hidden empty spray paint or solvent
containers; and chemical-soaked rags or clothing.

Inhalant use can cause a number of health problems, including suffocation.
Short-term health problems include heart palpitations, breathing
difficulty, dizziness and headaches. Long-term symptoms involve damage to
the brain, nerve cells, heart and lungs.

Parents can influence their children's choices by paying attention and
communicating, Brown said. Other tips include the following:

Be absolutely clear with your children that you don't want them to use
inhalants or other drugs. Don't leave room for interpretation. Talk often
- -- more than once or twice a year -- about the dangers of drug and alcohol use.

Don't react in a way that will cut off further discussion. If your child
says things that challenge or shock you, respond with a calm discussion of
why people use drugs and whether doing so is worth the risk.

Be involved in your child's life. Always know where he is and what he is
doing. Get to know your child's friends and their parents. And find time to
spend with your child each week.

Eat dinner with your children as frequently as possible, and attend
religious services as a family.

For more information about inhalants, visit the National Inhalants and
Poisons Awareness Week Web site at www.inhalants.org.