FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Jennifer de Vallance / Bob Weiner 202-395-6618
Ellen Besner 202-828-9725
March 15, 2001
ONE IN FIVE KIDS USING INHALANTS TO GET HIGH:
Despite progress in reducing teen drug use, nearly one million youth abusing inhalants annually;
OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY TO RAISE PARENT AWARENESS DURING NATIONAL INHALANTS AWARENESS WEEK
(Washington, D.C.)—The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is teaming up with other government agencies, the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition, and industry representatives to educate parents about the dangers of inhalants use during National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week, March 18–24th, 2001. Joined by representatives from the National Inhalants Prevention Coalition, the Centers for Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention, and the Compressed Gas Association, ONDCP Acting Director Edward H. Jurith described the dangers of inhalant use and national efforts to reduce it.
"The National Household Survey tells us that today there are almost a million new inhalant users—up from 390,000 in 1990. A survey conducted by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America found that one in five youth report sniffing or huffing common household goods such as air fresheners, cooking spray, markers, and glue at least once in their lives to get high. These items can be deadly, but they are right under our kids' noses everyday. When kids sniff or huff, they are inhaling poisons that do real damage, or can even kill them," Jurith said. More than a thousand different household and commercial products can be intentionally abused by sniffing or huffing (inhaled through the mouth) to get high. Such substances are readily available in any home or school and include adhesives, aerosols, cleaning agents, food products, gases, and solvents.
A 1999 Partnership for a Drug-Free America Attitude Tracking Study showed that although most parents say they have talked to their children about drugs, only about half have spoken with their kids specifically about inhalants abuse. The same study found that parents often underestimate the use of inhalants, with only twenty percent of parents believing it is extremely or very likely that their child could be using inhalants. Jurith said, "Parents must be constantly aware of their children's activities and behavior, and pay attention to signs of inhalants use, such as missing household items, soaked rags, and chemical smells on clothing."
ONDCP's National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign has developed tools and resources to help parents prevent and detect inhalant abuse. The effort includes a national print, broadcast, and on-line advertising campaign that makes facts, materials, and prevention strategies accessible. Information is available at the Media Campaign Web site, www.mediacampaign.org.
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