The 2010 Winter Olympics are underway and along with them comes the task of separating out the true athletes from those that enhance their performance with some kind of substance. These Games are yet another sport that has been tainted by doping athletes. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has been in charge of testing the athletes to find those that are using banned substances.

Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be an end to sports-related drug abuse, and athletes keep finding new ways to get around the tests. The Olympics are no exception. This year before the start of the Olympics, officials found more than 30 athletes that were positive for banned substances, and as a result, these athletes are not participating this year. This number is down from the Beijing Olympics when more than 70 athletes were kicked out before the competitions began. But many people are concerned that the WADA is not catching all of the doping methods being used these days.

New Methods to Enhance Performance

The world is constantly coming up with new substances to alter the mind or body, and if the committee in charge of testing is not staying current on all the newest substances, they will likely miss something. An example is Johann Muehlegg of Spain, who won three gold metals in the 2002 Winter Olympics for cross country skiing. It was later found that he had been using a new generation of performance enhancers that wasn’t detected in current tests, but he eventually tested positive and was stripped of the metals.

Other athletes and managers are also becoming more sophisticated in their doping methods, in an effort to avoid getting caught. There are new drugs, new forms of old drugs, and ways for athletes to cheat on tests. Some have resorted to storing their own blood and then transfusing it back into their body in time for the testing. It is unfortunate that an entire committee of people has to be designated just to determine what these top-level athletes are using to improve their performances.

Tough Penalties

Some people, however, have been critical of the WADA’s all-encompassing methods. There have been athletes that have been suspended for taking hair loss drugs. But there are also exceptions to the penalties. Just before this year’s Olympics a Russian hockey player tested positive for a substance that was banned in the games, but she will be allowed to compete. Svetlana Terenteva was reprimanded, but allowed to compete because she took a prescription nasal spray for a cold a month before the games.

Sometimes the WADA has no choice but to penalize, but the best results come when the authorities are able to look at each case individually. A new trend in anti-doping agencies has shifted the approach from an all-encompassing process to one that focuses more on the individual athletes.

Sources

Doping’s rise; athletes’ fall

WADA: More than 30 will not compete

Russian official defends player

Unjust Outcomes Under Fire

One of the most widely used illegal drugs in the United States is cocaine, and like many other drugs, it comes from a plant that has been used for thousands of years in other parts of the world.  Cocaine comes from the coca leaf, a plant that has a long history in spiritual rituals.

Coca and Andean Indians

It used to be that in the Andean Indian culture, the coca plant was linked to a sacred goddess.  These cultures believed that they had to please the coca goddess in order to have a successful harvest.  The leaves of the coca plant were chewed or smoked to help these natives connect with spiritual beings, as well as provide magical protection and powers.

Traditionally, coca leaves were chewed only by the leaders or royalty.  Over time, however, even lower classes were encouraged to chew the leaves to experience the benefits.  When the Spanish invaded the Incas land, they tried to outlaw the chewing of coca leaves.  But it soon became apparent that the Incas worked better when they were given leaves to chew.  Coca leaves give the user a boost of energy, as well as prevents hunger.  Mood stabilizes and stamina also increases in those that chew coca leaves.

First use of cocaine

Cocaine was first extracted from the coca plant in the 1860s.  At first it seemed to be a miracle drug that was useful in treating depression and morphine addiction, and it was prescribed by many physicians for various reasons.  However, it became evident that there were some serious problems with using cocaine, and it decreased naturally in popularity by the 1920s.

It was still being produced heavily in South America and other areas though, and cocaine made a comeback to the United States in the 1970s and 1980s.  At that time, it was illegal, yet in great demand.  The cost for cocaine was high, and violence became connected to the use and selling of cocaine.  Areas of cities that had many drug dealers became dangerous because of the guns and violence they brought with them.

Cocaine has had a rocky history in the United States.  There has been much controversy about the connection between the United States government and cocaine dealers.  There have been articles and books written about the CIA working with cocaine dealers to help win the war on communism.  Others argue that the aggressive role the U.S. government played in banning the drug actually led to the smuggling of it into our country.

Cocaine today

Cocaine is still being used illegally in our country by many today.  Cocaine stimulates the central nervous system, which increases heart rate and blood pressure.  The user feels a high and a feeling of satisfaction and energy.  Cocaine causes the user to disregard everything else besides the drug, leading to addiction.  For those dealing with cocaine addiction, the best help is most likely a treatment facility that offers detox, as well as long term residential care.

Sources

The History of Cocaine

http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/sci/A0812715.html

U.S. Drug Plague Of 1980s Was Spurred By Earlier Interventions In Andes March 20, 2009

Ayma, Evo Let Me Chew My Coca Leaves March 13, 2009

The debate about the safety of Ibogaine has gone on for years.  Some people think it is the greatest drug ever found for addiction treatment and can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t give it a second thought.  Other people believe that the drug is dangerous and the risks far outweigh the benefits.

History

Ibogaine comes from the roots of an African shrub, Tabernanthe iboga, and has been used by Shamanic tribes for centuries in rituals that connect humans with the spirit world.  The use of Ibogaine in the treatment of drug addiction was discovered by accident in the 1960’s, and the use of it for treatment has been argued about ever since.

Addiction Interrupter

Ibogaine at low doses is a mild stimulant.  At higher doses it causes hallucinations and an experience that interrupts a patient’s addiction to a variety of substances.  Ibogaine is known by scientists to have anti-addictive properties, and actually seems to alleviate withdrawal symptoms of substances such as heroin, cocaine, nicotine, and alcohol.  The problem is that the experience that comes with taking Ibogaine is severe and scary and dangerous to the patient.

Effects of Ibogaine

Someone that has taken a high dose of Ibogaine will experience two phases.  The first phase is the visual phase and it consists of hallucinations of objects moving around the room, colors flying, memory impairment, and dreamlike sequences.  This phase can last up to four hours before the second phase begins.  The introspective phase consists of a feeling of euphoria and thought clarity.  The patient will often reflect on their lives and the background behind their drug addiction.  This phase can last one hour, or it can last a few days, depending on the patient.

Risks

It is the experience that comes with taking Ibogaine that has many people concerned.  The patient is not in control of their body, and often is paralyzed by their altered mental state.  There have been a number of deaths from Ibogaine, possibly caused by interaction with other drugs, or pre-existing medical conditions.  But because of all these things, the U.S. government put Ibogaine on Schedule 1 in 1967, making it illegal in this country.  Other countries have banned Ibogaine as well, while there are as many as 12 countries that do allow its use.  Canada and Mexico both are among those that do allow the use of Ibogaine in clinics.

Future of Ibogaine

Boston’s Northeastern University recently held the Boston Ibogaine Forum, where those interested in the future of Ibogaine met for a conference filled with information about the drug.  Supporters want more research to be done on the drug in the hopes that it will soon be legal to use.  Perhaps, though, it is actually the study of the drug that both sides are waiting for, to determine whether or not it is as effective and safe to use as some say.

Sources

Greene, Doug Feature: The Boston Ibogaine Forum — from Shamanism to Cutting Edge Science 3/1/09

Sanchez, Carolina Banishing addiction forever? March 17, 2009

Why Choose Ibogaine for Drug Detox?

Teens have a history of trying risky behavior, partly because they are learning about life and trying to find their way in the world.  Often times, this spreading of their wings is not harmful.  Sometimes, however, teens get hooked on trends that are downright dangerous, or that will expose them to a world of risky behavior.  Some of the latest risky teen behaviors take place with substances found in their own homes.  The choices that teens make today can affect them for the rest of their lives.

Inhalant Abuse

The use and abuse of inhalants is one of the biggest growing trends among teens today.  Teens inhale anything they can get their hands on, such as aerosol sprays (spray paint, air fresheners, deodorants), solvents (gasoline, glue, markers), and gases (propane tanks, whipped cream dispensers) and the list goes on and on.  Immediate effects of this kind of substance abuse include slurred speech, nausea, lack of coordination, and irritability.  More serious effects are brain damage, liver and kidney failure, heart damage, and potentially, “Sudden Sniffing Death” (SSD).

Over the Counter Drug Abuse

Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a cough suppressant found in many over the counter cold medications.  When taken as directed, it works to sooth a cough.  But many teens today are taking this medication and other over the counter medications (motion sickness pills, acetaminophen, and ephedrine) in large doses in order to get high.  Immediate effects include euphoria, loss of coordination, hallucinations, and possibly seizure and brain damage.  Overdose is a very possible effect.

Prescription Drugs

Teens have also been getting away with taking their own family members’ prescription drugs, such as OxyContin, Valium, and Adderall.  In many schools, officials are facing the problem of teens bringing stashes of these drugs to school to sell to their friends.  Kids are also able to order prescription drugs at home from their family’s computer.  A growing percentage of teens have experimented with prescription drugs.

Gateway Drugs

Teens who start out with trying something fun and new with their friends because they are bored and unsupervised at home can quickly become addicted to the “high” they get.  Teens that regularly abuse household substances are more likely to try harder drugs, in an attempt to get a better high, or to try something more dangerous and thrilling.  Prescription drugs, inhalants, and over the counter medications have been dubbed “gateway drugs” because of the likelihood that they lead to more dangerous drug abuse.

Parents need to be vigilant about what their kids are doing and who they are hanging out with.  If teens are left unsupervised, the temptation will be there to try these things.  All of the kids are talking about it, and the internet and pop culture have a wealth of information (good and bad) for your teens.  Parents need to educate themselves about these risks, and then educate their kids.  Teens should know that they can go to their parents with questions or concerns they might have, and get reliable information.

Sources

Shook, Jennifer Cough suppressants can be big problem 2/23/09

Ivers, Marianne Risky teen trends: Parents, don’t be in denial February 11, 2009

Schimelpfening, Nancy Inhalant Abuse July 28, 2008

http://www.theantidrug.com/DRUG_INFO/drug_info_inhalants.asp

There has been much talk in the past about the best way to help addicts come clean from heroin, with some people arguing for the use of drugs like methadone to treat patients, and other people holding firm to the idea that you can’t successfully treat a drug addiction with a drug.

Unfortunately, there is not enough evidence to conclude that either way is better.  Numbers do show that the use of methadone is successful in getting patients to give up heroin, but then the patient does not really end up being drug-free because they are addicted to the methadone.

History of Heroin
Heroin has been around for a long time, and is currently grown around the world, with large supplies in the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America.  The drug had been a problem in the United States for decades, but the Nixon administration actively tried to diminish supplies of heroin when he declared a war on drugs in the 1970’s.  It was during this time that methadone maintenance treatments came to light, and experiments were done to measure its effectiveness.  However, incomplete data recording, complex situations of treatment, and inconclusive evidence have all aided in the differing of opinions that we have today.

Heroin Withdrawal
What we do know is that heroin is a hard drug to beat.  The addict’s body quickly becomes so dependent on the substance that to go without it would mean a severe withdrawal.  Nausea, vomiting, pain, sweating, fatigue, depression and insomnia are what an addict goes through when trying to quit.  But, if a patient is put on methadone when stopping the heroin, the symptoms are not nearly as bad.  The patient will need to work to withdraw from the methadone, but that can often happen over weeks or months.

Another thing we know is that addicts that are required to quit heroin without the use of medication are less likely to stay in treatment than those that are assisted by drugs such as methadone.  Perhaps it gets to be too big of a task before them to be rid of drugs completely, but whatever the reason, more heroin users will stay in treatment if it involves using methadone or another medication.

Methadone Treatment Facilities
Many drug treatment facilities have built their programs around these pieces of information.  By using medications such as methadone, physicians are able to ease the withdrawal symptoms and to keep the addict in treatment.  Facilities may not be able to come up with statistics that say their patients have completed their program and are clean and drug-free, but that they are heroin-free.  According to many, this is a better alternative.  Many facilities work to help their patients become responsible members of society, by keeping a job or taking care of their family, something heroin addicts find almost impossible.  For those patients that require the use of methadone to achieve those goals, the benefit of living a normal life is worth it.

Schneider, Eric The War on Drugs Redux 1-12-09

Mooney, Bette From Yale to Jail

Mattick, RP Methadone maintenance therapy versus no opioid replacement therapy for opioid dependence

http://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/teds05/TEDSD2k5Hi.htm

Residents of Wisconsin can’t be too proud of the statistics these days. Wisconsin has the highest rate of drunken driving in the nation, according to the Department of Transportation. Alcohol killed 337 people and injured 5,500 in car accidents in the state last year. More than 42,000 drivers were convicted of drunken driving in Wisconsin in 2007, and that’s just the number of people that were actually caught and convicted. Wisconsin had a rash of hit and run accidents this past summer, many of them fatal, and many of the fleeing drivers were suspected of being drunk.

Lenient Laws
What is the cause of the high number of drunk drivers in some states, and what can be done about it? Many would argue that the laws for drunk driving in states like Wisconsin are very lenient. In fact, Wisconsin does not consider drunk driving as more than a misdemeanor until multiple offenses have occurred. Only after the 4th offense, or if someone was injured or killed, is drunk driving considered a felony. Countless attorneys in the area specialize in DUI cases, which may contribute to even repeat offenders getting off with little jail time.

Possible Solution:
Ignition Interlock System
Other states have taken steps, sometimes controversial ones, to prevent drunk driving, especially among repeat offenders. The ignition interlock system is one disputed measure that some states are working to enforce. This device would be installed in a repeat offender’s car and would not allow the vehicle operator to start the vehicle until they blow a blood alcohol level below a certain level.

Safe Ride
Another option is for states to offer incentives to local tavern leagues that provide a SafeRide program. Often, states will give grants for volunteer drivers or taxis to take people home safely from the bars. But this solution can become useless when there is lack of interest or coordination.

Sobriety Checkpoints
Sobriety checkpoints, where police set up random roadblocks to check drivers, are banned in Wisconsin and 11 other states. The argument is that the checkpoints infringe on people’s rights, and they won’t necessarily catch the drunk drivers that know to avoid the blocked road.

Monitoring Bracelet
The newest solution some are proposing in Wisconsin for repeat offenders is the alcohol monitoring bracelet, which would take readings of blood alcohol levels from the sweat on a person’s skin. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), these bracelets won’t prevent people from driving drunk; they simply can tell authorities that someone has been drinking.

Although there is criticism for these prevention or monitoring methods and none of them seems to be a fix-all, it would seem that something needs to be done in states like Wisconsin that struggle with this problem. Possibly the answer is a combining of these solutions in order to catch or prevent as many people as possible from driving drunk.

Sources

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/motorist/drunkdriving/index.htm

Dashek, Ryan Lawmakers must tighten drunk driving penalties December 1, 2008

Damos, Tim Drunk driving a county problem December 18, 2008

Dlabay, Kyle Lawmaker Proposes Statewide Alcohol Monitoring Bracelets December 15, 2008

People have been looking for remedies to addiction and alcoholism for years. A drug that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2006 has been shown to decrease cravings for alcohol, causing it to be of great interest to physicians that deal regularly with alcoholics. Originally available in a once-a-day tablet, naltrexone was used for a few years to treat alcoholism. When taken regularly, this drug can reduce the days that a person consumes alcohol, as well as the amount of alcohol an individual drinks when they do drink. The problem with the tablet form, however, is that it is a daily pill and getting an alcoholic to take a pill every day to keep them sober is difficult at times. You have to really want to be sober to get yourself to take the pill.

Vivitrol®: once a month
After this obstacle was discovered, a new injectable version of the drug was developed, Vivitrol®. Manufactured by the company Alkermes Inc. (Click here for a message from an Alkermes employee), Vivitrol® can be injected into the patient once a month to provide 30 days of treatment. Seems like a good solution, but there have been drawbacks to this injectable form also. First of all, the injection has to be given deep in the gluteal muscles which may not be as favorable for physicians and patients who are used to dealing with pills and liquid medications. Second, the drug is costly, which has led to a smaller group of people making use of it. These things, along with the uncertain results and side effects with some patients, have prohibited the drug from selling very well.

Opponents of the drug
Some may argue that the use of drugs to treat addiction is pointless, and that using a medication like this only adds to the entrapment by drugs. These opponents argue for psychotherapy and counseling to get alcoholics past their addiction. While it would be nice to have a “quick fix” for alcoholism, it is not realistic to think that a single pill or injection can cure one’s addiction problems.

Redevelopment of the drug
Alkermes Inc. has recently announced that they will begin focusing on selling naltrexone to treat opioid addiction. Alkermes will continue to sell VIVITROL® for alcohol dependence, while also running clinical studies to expand the label into opiate addiction. According to research done by Alkermes, the market for a drug that is injected will be greater among opioid addicts and their physicians. With the sales from this drug for alcoholics remaining low, and risk of stock values decreasing this year, this decision is seen as a quick move in order to increase the manufacturer’s gains.
Whether or not Alkermes can successfully market Vivitrol® to alcoholics and their physicians, it is important to continue to study this drug to find out all the potentials of its use. A new study to be published in the February 2009 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research shows that Vivitrol® does successfully lessen the consumption of alcohol in patients, as well as increase their quality of life. Other studies have shown that maybe seasonal shots of the drug would be effective in getting patients past difficult times, such as the holidays. It is possible that we can only begin to imagine the possibilities that lay ahead for humans and their treatment of addiction.

Sources

Kluger, Jeffrey An Injection to Cure Holiday Drinking? Dec. 18, 2008

Naltrexone And Alcoholism Treatment

Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series 28 Executive Summary and Recommendations

Extended-release Naltrexone, Treatment For Alcohol Dependence, Improves Quality-of-life Measures Dec. 1, 2008

Nathan, Vidya ANALYSIS-Alkermes’ Vivitrol needs opioid market to boost sales December 22, 2008

The manufacturing of street drugs in private homes isn’t a new concept, but it is just as risky today as it ever has been. Illegal drugs have been made in clandestine labs for decades as a way for the maker to bring in money or to support a drug habit. Methamphetamine is available by prescription, but this controlled substance can be cooked in a home lab and made into powder and sold on the street as a potent drug. Other amphetamine-type stimulants have also commonly been made in makeshift labs, as well as the rave drug, GHB, LSD and other strong hallucinogens. Many illegal drugs that end up being sold to kids and addicts on the street come from these homemade labs throughout the world.

The homemade drug manufacturer

Sometimes it is an ex-employee from a pharmaceutical company with the expertise on drugs that attempts to make them on their own. Other times it is a group of individuals that have researched how to best make certain drugs. Countless websites instruct anyone who cares on how to make certain street drugs. Often the ingredients are over-the-counter medicines or household chemicals. If it the ingredients aren’t readily available, some home manufacturers will find a way to order supplies or get ingredients on the black market.

Dangers of homemade drugs to the drug user

Besides the obvious problems with all street drugs, such as addiction, toxicity, brain damage, organ damage, and possible death, homemade street drugs have their own added problems. One of the most dangerous risks with homemade drugs is that each batch can be made differently, with changes in ingredients and measurements. With no standard of dosage, customers will often end up dying from overdose before other buyers and the seller realize the strength of a very powerful batch.

It is estimated that more than 50% of the time, the drug buyer is not getting the substance that they were told they were getting from a home-based lab. Makers will sometimes substitute a cheaper ingredient, or one more readily available, without the buyer knowing. And there are other things the home manufacturer won’t disclose either, such as the way the drugs have been handled and what tainted substances have come in contact with them. It could be that the drug maker used infected substances to cut and make the drugs, thereby passing along diseases such as hepatitis or maybe even AIDS.

Dangers to the public

Home-based drug labs are a threat to the general public at times also. These chemicals are often very unstable, which can lead to explosions or toxic fumes that threaten nearby residents. Because of the risks a homemade manufacturer faces, they may take drastic measures to protect their lab. Violence and shootings are commonly associated with clandestine labs.

Authorities are well-aware of the dangers associated with home drug labs and are working to find them throughout the country. The task may be daunting, but many lives will be saved by shutting down these drug labs.

Sources

Street Drugs

Chemical expert set up homemade LSD factory 10/12/2008

Crystal Myth

Elsevier B.V. Boltushka: A homemade amphetamine-type stimulant and HIV risk in Odessa, Ukraine 10-30-08

If you or someone you love is considering treatment for a drug or alcohol addiction, there are many decisions you may need to make in order to find the right facility. Below are some things to consider when choosing a facility, as well as things to expect once you get there.

First of all, it might be necessary to call a hotline to get immediate help for an addiction. This would be used when a person doesn’t know where else to go for help, or possibly someone is in immediate danger. If this is the case, the individual on the other end of the phone can give you valuable information about immediate treatment options.

Types of Facilities and Programs

If the decision is something that is thought about for a while and discussed, there are many different types of programs that might be useful. The first questions might be whether the facility offers residential, in-patient, or out-patient treatment, or a recovery house or long-term care. Some facilities are gender or age-specific, which might be particularly helpful to adolescents or females who might feel more comfortable in a setting with their peers.

It may be necessary for the treatment facility to have a detoxification program for the individual to rid their body of harmful substances while being monitored by a staff of medical professionals. After the physical dependency of the substance is addressed, the patient can begin counseling and treatment to manage the psychological dependency. Many treatment facilities have different activities to aid in this part of the recovery process. Things such as group therapy and family involvement have proven successful in treatment, as well as the 12-Steps for recovery. Some specialized facilities also provide programs such as equine therapy, recreational activities, cooking opportunities, and other things geared toward giving the mind and body something positive to focus on.

Recovery is an Ongoing Process

It is important for patients to be directed to long-term care to assist them in staying sober in the future. By learning about the risks of relapse and the skills needed to cope with stress and addiction triggers, an individual will be more likely to stay substance-free. A facility should provide follow-up services to give the recovering patient a support base when they move back into their lives. Recovery is an ongoing process. The groundwork is laid when an individual goes through treatment, but recovery continues on as the person is put back into their lives and families and has to effectively put what they learned into practice.

Entering into a treatment facility is a scary thing for most people. The unknown is hard to face. But the right facility can ease discomfort with their caring staff and positive programs. It still won’t be easy, but the goal is for the treatment to be successful. By working with counselors and staff to learn about oneself and taking accountability for the addiction, an individual can actually aid in the recovery process. So while you can expect treatment to be a challenge, it will hopefully be the best thing you’ve ever done.

Sources

T., Buddy Components of Effective Treatment Programs What Makes Alcohol Treatment Programs Work? January 22, 2008

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_rehabilitation

Parents that are concerned about their teens’ risky behavior may not be aware of all the temptations out there, or the young age at which many adolescents are exposed to them. Inhalants are growing in popularity among youngsters as young as 12 as a way to get high. Many experts believe that parents need to be educated on this epidemic if we are going to keep it from getting worse.

The National Inhalant Prevention’s Coalition held a news conference earlier this year that revealed an increase in inhalant use among 12 and 13 year olds, and that many of these teens and pre-teens go on to do more illicit drugs as they get older.

Why Inhalants

Peer pressure occurs at almost every age, but the teen years are filled with the most negative peer pressure. Pair that with lack of supervision because parents are working more, and you have teens trying all sorts of risky behavior to keep themselves busy. Inhalants are readily available to kids, and often young people don’t see inhaling these household substances as being harmful because these things are legal and found everywhere. Anything from glue and paint to shoe polish and aerosol sprays can and are being used by people to get high.

Types of Inhalants

There are four main types of inhalants: volatile solvents (paint thinners, felt tip markers), aerosol sprays (spray paint, deodorant), gases (propane tanks, whip cream dispensers), and nitrites (room deodorizers). Teens use these inhalants by sniffing, snorting, or inhaling from a bag. The high will usually be short-lived, which leads a teen to inhale again and again to keep up the good feeling. These inhalants can be very addictive also, leading the individual down a long road of destructive behavior.

Effects

Most inhalants result in a tired feeling, dizziness, hallucinations, or trouble with motor skills – all things that teens might find entertaining to observe. Over time, however, inhalants can lead to brain damage, muscle weakness, and depression. The dangers are very real, and can occur even with first time users. Sudden death can occur through heart attack, suffocating, or choking, and injuries may occur from careless acts while under the influence.

As the study by the National Inhalant Prevention’s Coalition showed, many teens that use inhalants go on to do other drugs, sometimes in an effort to get a better high. Once a teen is used to the thrill of doing “harmless” inhalant drugs, they might look for more of a challenge with street drugs.

Parents: Be Aware

Many parents have shown a disconnect from their children through the attitude that their children is not at risk for this kind of behavior. Even parents that are relatively cautious about what trouble their child could get into may not be aware of how common this abuse of inhalants is. It is important for parents to know what their child is doing when they are alone or with friends, and special care should be taken to monitor the inhalants in the house and garage. If you are a parent that thinks your child may be using inhalants, don’t hesitate to get help for them.

Sources

Colihan, Kelley Tweens Favor Inhalants To Get High Study Shows Youngsters Use Inhalants As “Gateway” To Other Illicit Drugs March 13, 2008

Zwillich, Todd Kids See Inhalants As Less Risky Parents ‘Don’t Get It,’ Advocates Say April 24, 2006

http://www.inhalants.org/guidelines.htm

http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/drugs/inhalants.html

Reinberg, Steven For Adolescents, Inhalants Are Drug of Choice 3/13/08