When: March 19–25, 2006
Where: Nationwide
Institute: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

On March 16, 2006, NIDA will participate in the kickoff press conference for the 14th annual National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week (NIPAW, March 19–26, 2006). Many household and office products cause intoxication when their vapors are inhaled. You're no doubt familiar with many of these substances—paint, glue, and others. But you might not know that more than 1,000 products are very dangerous when inhaled—things like typewriter correction fluid, air-conditioning refrigerant, felt tip markers, spray paint, air freshener, butane, and even cooking spray.


Called "inhalants," these substances can have devastating side effects. They pose a particularly significant risk to young people because they are readily accessible, legal, and inexpensive. By the time a student reaches the 8th grade, one in five will have used inhalants. Young, white males have the highest usage rates. Hispanic and American Indian populations also show high rates of usage.

Nearly all abused products produce anesthesia-like effects, slowing down the body's functions. Varying with dosage, the user can experience slight stimulation, reduced inhibition, or loss of consciousness. Sniffing highly concentrated amounts of the chemicals in certain inhalants can directly induce heart failure and death within minutes of a session of repeated inhalations. This Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome means the user can die the 1st, 10th, or 100th time the inhalant is used. Other effects include damage to the heart, kidney, brain, liver, bone marrow, and other organs. Results similar to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome also can occur when inhalants are used during pregnancy. Inhalants are physically and psychologically addicting and users suffer withdrawal symptoms. How inhalants cause their effects is a topic currently being investigated by NIDA.

You can take part in NIPAW from March 19–25, 2006. This annual community mobilization and awareness effort has proven to be an effective tool in fighting inhalant use. Last year, more than 2,000 organizations from 49 states and foreign countries participated.

Next Steps
For more information on the health risks of inhalant abuse, visit NIDA's inhalants Web site at http://inhalants.drugabuse.gov/.

For information on this campaign and how to become involved in community action to prevent inhalant abuse, visit www.inhalants.org. or call (800) 269-4237.