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SAMHSA News Room
Contact Media Services: (240) 276-2130

SAMHSA Advisory

Date: 3/9/2007
Media Contact: SAMHSA Press Office
Telephone: 240-276-2130

Partnership for a Drug-Free America Unveils New TV Spot on Huffing

1.1 Million Kids Huffed Household Products Even Though It Can Be Fatal

The National Inhalant Prevention Coalition (NIPC), with input from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), will hold a press briefing on March 15 to present the results of a new report on patterns and trends in inhalant use by adolescent males and females.  National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week is March 18-24.

According to the new report, almost five percent of all girls between the ages of 12 and 17 used inhalants to get high in 2005, an increase from 4.1 percent in 2002, while boys remained fairly constant with 4.2 percent reporting use in 2005.  Together, the data show that an estimated 1.1 million adolescents used inhalants in the past year, even though huffing these common household substances can be fatal.

Also, a new television public service announcement (PSA) on huffing is directed at parents and will be unveiled by the Partnership for Drug-Free America and Alliance for Consumer Education (ACE).

Inhalant abuse is difficult to treat, and many substance abuse and medical professionals do not recognize the signs of inhalant abuse or know how to treat the youth and young adults who present for treatment.

WHO: 

  • H. Westley Clark, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., Director of SAMHSA's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
  • Bertha Madras, Ph.D., Deputy Director for Demand Reduction, Office of Drug Control Policy
  • Timothy P. Condon, Ph.D., Deputy Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse
  • Harvey Weiss, MBA, Executive Director, National Inhalant Prevention Coalition
  • Stephen J. Pasierb, President and CEO, Partnership for a Drug-Free America
  • Mona Casey, Naples, FL, parent of a high school student who died from inhalant use
  • Don Coates, Everett, WA, whose 18-year old son died trying to get high by inhaling butane fumes

WHEN:  
March 15, 2007 at 9:30 A.M.

WHERE: 
National Press Club, First Amendment Room
14th and F Streets NW
Washington, D.C. 

SAMHSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation's substance abuse prevention, addictions treatment, and mental health services delivery system.


Page Last Updated: 3/14/2007