Inhalant use down
for isle kidsSniffing paint thinner and glue
remains a potential health threat
Hawaii students aren't sniffing glues, paint thinner, helium or other inhalants as much as those nationally, but state health officials are concerned about increasing use among 10th- and 12th-graders.
The Department of Health released the information as part of National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week March 21-27 because "we want to make sure our rate stays lower than the nation," said Elaine Wilson, chief of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Division.
"Also, we want parents to know there is a whole variety of substances they need to be concerned about, not just crystal methamphetamine, not just alcohol."
She said inhalant use here among students has declined steadily since 1998.
However, inhalants are especially popular with younger kids and they're readily available in the home, Wilson said. "Often parents don't think about it. We want to bring attention to the problem."
Inhalants include solvents, gases and aerosols, which can be deadly on first use.
Abusers sniff or snort fumes from containers, spray aerosols directly into the nose or mouth, "huff" fumes from an inhalant-soaked rag stuffed into the mouth or sniff fumes sprayed into a paper or plastic bag, according to the DOH.
In a 2002 Hawaii Student Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drug Use Study, 5.6 percent of sixth-graders reported trying inhalants sometime in their lives to get high.
That was an increase from 5.3 percent in 2000 but a drop from 10.1 percent in 1998 and 9.7 percent in 1996.
The study showed a decrease in inhalant use among eighth-graders, from 9.9 percent in 2000 to 9.1 percent in 2002.
Slight increases in inhalant use occurred in 10th-graders, from 7 percent in 2000 to 8.4 percent in 2002, and in 12th graders, from 5.7 percent in 2000 to 7.3 percent in 2002.
Figures aren't available for sixth-graders nationally, but Hawaii health officials have "always had real concern about the transition between sixth grade and middle school," Wilson said. "It tells us what we need to pay attention to."
Hawaii's inhalant use is below the national average, according to the survey.
In other grades nationally in 2002, these students reported using inhalants in their lifetime: 15.2 percent of eighth-graders, 13.3 percent of 10th-graders and 11.7 percent of seniors.
Poisons in inhalants can damage the user's brain and body, the DOH said, comparing inhalant abuse to "Russian Roulette."
The high from inhalants only lasts a few minutes so abusers often repeatedly inhale over several hours, which can cause unconsciousness and death.
Health officials stressed the importance of early recognition of the signs of inhalant abuse, including chemical odors on the breath or clothes, paint stains, slurred speech, lack of appetite and concentration, nausea and disoriented appearance.
Parents are encouraged to monitor products with inhalants in the home and talk to their children about the dangers.
They can find more information on the Web site: www.inhalants.org.
State Health Department