Inhalant Abuse Prevention

INFORMATIONAL LETTER: 91
POLICY CODE: IHAMA

TO: All Superintendents of Schools, Public and Private Secondary and Elementary School Principals,
School Counselors, School Resource Officers, Safe and Drug Free Schools Contact Persons

FROM: Susan Gendron, Commissioner, Department of Education
Guy R. Cousins, Acting Director, Office of Substance Abuse,
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

DATE: March 11, 2008

SUBJECT: Inhalant Abuse Prevention

Inhalant abuse is an often-overlooked form of substance abuse, which can have serious consequences. Children can die from Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome the very first time they intentionally inhale (“huff”) a product to get high. Abusing inhalants can kill and can cause brain, liver and kidney damage or may lead to the use of illegal drugs or alcohol. While young people may have more difficulty getting illegal drugs or alcohol, there are more than 1,400 common items that can be huffed, including many that can be easily accessed in the kitchen, garage, office and at school.

In support of National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness week, the Maine Inhalant Abuse Prevention Work Group has arranged a training for professionals “Inhalant Abuse: It’s Right Under Your Nose.” The goal of this training is to acquaint participants with the nature and patterns of inhalant abuse and provide them with effective prevention and assessment strategies, tools, messages and resources. This training is available on three separate dates/locations: April 1, 2008, at the Holiday Inn West, Portland, ME; April 8, 2008, at the Houlton Regional Hospital, Houlton, ME; or April 15, 2008, at DHHS, Machias, ME. For more information, including registration, visit: http://www.neias.org/inhprev08.html .

The challenge before us is to address the use of inhaled substances by students. According to the 2006 Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey, 12% of Maine’s 6th – 12th grade students reported that they have abused inhalants in their lifetime, with 8th graders reporting the highest rate of use within the last 30 days (7%). Maine has made significant strides in decreasing tobacco use among students and has seen progress in decreasing student alcohol use. With collaboration among community members, the tragic and unnecessary death and disability caused by inhalant abuse can also be reduced.

For more information, contact the Office of Substance Abuse Information and Resource Center at 1-800-499-0027 or osa.ircosa@maine.gov .