Viviana Bermudez Mrs.

Theis Health-Period 4 March 1, 2012

o This drug is not talked about on the news when it comes to fatalities or addiction. o I was shocked that something as common as air freshener could ultimately cause death.

o Highly toxic man-made chemical vapors that give off a distinct smell o These include aerosols, paint, glue, cleaning products, and lighter fluids o Depressant used to achieve a quick high similar to alcohol intoxication o Slang terms include: Poppers, Satans secret, Aroma of Men, Poor Mans Pot, and more

o Inhalants are gases or vapors in a can or container 1. Some spray the substance right into the nose or mouth 2. Sniffing is simply inhaling the chemical through the nose or mouth

3. Huffing is drenching a towel in the substance and inhaling the fumes 4. Bagging is breathing in the vapor from a plastic or paper bag, which increases the chances of suffocation usually at clubs

o There is only one positive to sniffing: hallucinations o With that come many negatives: instant death, muscle spasms, brain damage, suffocation (chemical replaces oxygen in lungs), rapid heart beat, depression, hearing loss, weaker muscles, diminished intelligence, and both physical and mental addiction

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Chemical smells on breath or clothing Having markers when unnecessary Paint stains on face, hands, clothes Empty containers or drenched rags hidden in the trash 5. Nausea, loss of appetite 6. Irritability, drunk appearance, red eyes

o The high lasts minutes, so it is taken multiple times to extend the effect o A small dose acts as a stimulant, but larger doses become sedatives and can kill o This drug stays in your system depending on the size of the dose, but the chemical is instantly absorbed into body tissues and organs

o Inhalants are quite cheap and easy to find, considering that there is a wide variety of common household products that can be abused o However, 38 US states have placed restrictions on the sale of chemicals to minors o It is illegal to sell a substance that could be abused to someone under 18 in England and Wales

Viviana Bermudez was born 15 years ago, in the small island of Puerto Rico. She plays soccer, piano, violin, tutors, and paints her nails as a hobby. Instead of smoking weed, she goes out to jog with a friend or bakes cakes. If her cousins or friends offer her a drink, she passes and encourages them to put the beer down. When it comes to the future, Viviana is shooting to get a Masters degree in computer engineering at UCSD or UC Davis.

Works Cited
Inhalant Abuse. WebMD. 2012, WebMD LLC. Web. 20 February 2012. Inhalants. Above the Influence. National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign. Web. 20 February 2012. Inhalants. A Forever Recovery. 2012. Web. 24 February 2012. Inhalents. DrugsTV. No Fear Media, Inc., 2010. Web. 24 February 2012. The Truth About Inhalants. Drug Free World. 2011, Foundation for a Drug Free World. Web. 20 February 2012.