Posted: Feb 7, 2012 3:55 PM by Christina Lysacek
Updated: Feb 7, 2012 4:31 PM
Inhaling fumes or vapors, also known as huffing, is something that local law enforcement has seen for decades, and as we found out Tuesday, the problem is not going away.
"Here in Gallatin County we see huffing or inhaling of butane lighter fluid, paints, paint thinner, and glues," said Jake Wager, commander of the Missouri River Drug Task Force.
Inhaling fumes from common household items can give users a short-lived euphoric high, but what most users aren't aware of are the harmful effects of huffing. In the short-term, users can experience sudden death, headaches, muscle weakness, slurred speech, numbness and nausea, according to Inhalant.org.
The website also says, in the long-term permanent brain, liver, kidney, bone marrow and central nervous system damage can occur, as well as hearing loss and limb spasms.
"What we see if that our users mirror the national average in which about 50% of our users or abusers are below the age of 18," said Wagner.
Local law enforcement encourages parents to look for signs of huffing in their child's behavior. "When you start finding those common products in uncommon places then that's a warning sign," said Wagner.
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