When Eric was 14, a friend showed him how to inhale fabric protector. Eric then showed his younger brother and another friend how to do it. "I inhaled chemicals until first my mom caught me inhaling gas and then my dad caught me sniffing leather protector," said Eric. At age 18, Eric is now in treatment for his addiction to alcohol and marijuana.

Inhalants are breathable chemicals that produce a mind-altering effect. They include solvents, paint, glue, fuels, nail polish, hair spray, felt-tip markers, butane, air fresheners, fabric protectors, whipped creme propellant, spray paint and many other chemical products.

Inhaling the vapors, or using a lot over a short period of time, may result in losing touch with one's surroundings, a loss of inhibition, violent behavior, unconsciousness or death. Inhaling highly concentrated amounts of chemicals can lead to heart failure within minutes of sniffing. Severe cardiac arrhythmia is the most common cause of sudden death from inhalants.

Inhalant abuse can cause long-term physical damage to the brain, nerve cells, heart, liver, kidneys, throat, nasal passageways and lungs. Psychological damage can include depression, anxiety, withdrawal, severe mood swings and mental slowness.

Why would anyone inhale such dangerous substances? Children often start chemical use with inhalants because these substances are available, convenient, legal, and they can sober up within minutes. According to Mark Groves, an inhalant prevention specialist, about 1,400 household products sold over the counter at grocery and hardware stores can be inhaled.

Young people, especially those between the ages of 7 and 17, are most likely to abuse inhalants. Twenty one percent of eighth graders have used inhalants at least once in their lifetime, according to the 1997 Monitoring the Future drug-use survey, and 12 percent of eighth graders said they had used inhalants in the past year.

Inhalant use often begins when children learn from friends or an older sibling. If children learn very early that they like a certain smell, something as seemingly harmless as fruit-smelling markers, and even feel good when smelling it, they may continue to inhale that and other substances. Early use of inhalants can indicate problem use later in life and may serve as a gateway drug to other harmful substances.

Because each inhalant has a legitimate use and because it's hard to police the misuse of these chemicals, education seems to be the best means of prevention. Groves suggests that "parents start teaching their children very early, at ages 4 and 5, that these substances are poisons and explain why they are dangerous."

Groves offers tips for parents to prevent inhalant abuse:

• Look for teachable moments. When children mention that gas smells good, teach them that gas or other chemicals should never be inhaled.
• Don't shut children out by simply saying something is "bad for you." That kind of response often invites indifference, or worse, rebellion.
• Educate yourself and then give your children concrete information; talk about dangerous behavior, such as inhalant use, and explain the consequences.
• Help your children develop refusal skills, or how they can say no.
• Listen to your children; talk with them to learn what pressures they are exposed to and what they are thinking and feeling.
• Ask questions of your children and their friends: Where are you going? Who will you be with? Establish firms rules of behavior and set and enforce consequences for unacceptable behavior.

Some signs of inhalant use include chemical smell on breath; chemical stains on skin and clothing; sores around the mouth and nose; runny nose; nose bleeds; headaches and nausea; slurred speech; chronic cough; and sudden changes in mood and behavior. Parents can also watch for empty containers of white-out, plastic bags and butane lighters as signs of potential inhalant abuse. Also, secretive or other unusual behavior by your child and his or her friends may tip off inhalant use.

To receive a copy of a "A Parents' Guide to Preventing Inhalant Abuse" or for more information about inhalant abuse, contact the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition in Austin, Texas, at (800) 269-4237 or visit http://www.inhalants.org/.

--Published March 30, 1998