Solvents The drug category solvents fall into is Hallucinogens.

Also Known As… “Bagging” “Huffing” “Nangs” “Bulbs” “Glue” “Gas” “Sniff” “Huff” “Poppers” “Chroming”

Origin and Description of Drug What is this drug? An every day product Spray deodorant Aerosols Pain relief sprays Air fresheners Hairspray Correction fluid Where does this drug come from? You can buy this drug in most stores. Where and how it is produced and grown? It is manufactured by humans. They make people feel free, happy and dizzy. Most solvents are sniffed

Appearance What form does this drug come in? This drug comes in the form, of sprays and aerosols. Solvent abuse involves inhaling the fumes from domestic and industrial products, creating a strong intoxication.

Drug Category INHALANTS A wide range of substances are ‘sniffed’: Solvent based glues Dry cleaning fluids Thinners Paint Correcting fluids Aerosol sprays (deodorants, hair sprays, furniture polish etc.) Butane gas (particularly in cigarette lighter refill canisters) Petrol Fire extinguishers And others (etc.)

Short term and immediate effects Inhaling the solvent causes the drug to work fast causing a high. The initial effects will last for 15 to 45 minutes. Some people can keep the high for up to 12 hours. As the effects wear off rapidly, users have to sniff repeatedly. People can feel sleepy for about two hours after sniffing. Many people get severe headaches.

Short term and immediate effects Solvents can stop your heart working properly. This can kill you instantly. Lack of oxygen Pneumonia Cardiac failure Solvents can make a person drowsy and pass out. Some people throw up and die by choking on their own vomit. Many other kids have been killed or hurt in accidents because they couldn't see, hear or think after taking solvents.

Long Term Effects People who abuse solvents for a long time damage their heart, brain, liver and kidneys. Long term abuse can lead to: A permanent 'sniffer's rash’ Conjunctivitis Liver, heart and kidney damage Brain damage.

Medical Usage Nitrous Oxide is an example of medical use of solvents. This is a dental anesthetic.

Legality Solvent possession or abuse is NOT a criminal act Stores can be fined under the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985 if they knowingly sell to an abuser under 18. Solvents are not street drugs, the average home has over 20 products that can be abused. Solvents are legal and have real uses that allows users to argue that they are doing nothing wrong.

Statistical Information Statistics show that three times more young people die from solvent abuse than illegal drugs. Nearly 300 people have died from abusing solvents in the last four years. In many cases, the young person has died from his or her first attempt at solvent abuse. Glue sniffing kills many more people than ecstasy, just without any media attention In 37% of deaths in 1997 there was no prior known history of abuse. Young people remain the group most associated with solvent abuse - between 1971 and 2000, most deaths from Solvent abuse occurred in the age range. Solvent abusers can be male or female, although there are higher numbers of solvent related deaths in boys.

Where to go for HELP For more information on solvent abuse and where to go for help try the web at: Connexions Direct TheSite.org - Solvents Be Cool Be Safe! Contact you physician or hospital and they can help point you in the right direction 24 hour Addition Hotline Telephone: (866) (7 days 24 hours)