New federal data highlighted on March 11 show that among 12-year-olds, inhalants are the most abused drug, exceeding abuse of marijuana, cocaine, and hallucinogens combined.

From 2006 to 2008, almost 7% of 12-year-olds said they had used an inhalant to get high, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). That compares to a lifetime use rate of 5% for prescription drugs and 1.4% for marijuana. Alcohol remains the most abused substance overall among 12-year-olds.

Officials from SAMHSA, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition, and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy gathered in Washington to discuss the inhalant use data, and to urge parents and physicians to educate children about the dangers of “huffing.”

Inhalant use is largely a phenomenon among whites, but large numbers of Hispanic and African Americans also abuse the chemicals. The mean age for first-time inhalant use is 16—a year younger than for any other illicit substance, according to SAMHSA.

Inhalants are easy to obtain and can often be abused without detection. The chemicals can be found in household cleaners, paint thinner, fabric protector, magic markers, glue, hairspray, nail polish remover, and dessert topping sprays, among a myriad of other products. Teens also inhale freon, butane, and nitrites, which are sold under names such as “Rush” or “Locker Room.” The chemicals can lead to short-term memory loss, emotional instability, problems with gait and speech, and over the long term, more permanent neurologic and cardiac symptoms.

They are educating physicians about the signs and symptoms of huffing, and about the need to educate adolescents about the dangers.

Bron:Elsevier Global Medical News