INHALANTS

If marijuana is the "gateway" drug, then inhalants could be considered "threshold" drugs.  By this, we mean that abuse of inhalants is often a young person's first experience with intoxicating substances.  There are several reasons for this.  Many household and industrial products have a potential for abuse.  They are cheap, easy to obtain, and easy to hide.

The compounds used as inhalants are so varied in their chemical compositions that it is difficult to describe a typical "high."  There is usually a light-headed feeling or a feeling of weightlessness.  Thoughts are clouded and inhibitions are decreased.  With continued sniffing, the effects are more profound and may result in hallucinations, coma, or death.

To the observer, a person under the influence of inhalants may appear dazed, walk with an unsteady gait, or exhibit slurred speech.  There may also be a sweet odor on the breath from exhaled solvent.  However, not all inhalants have an odor.

© 1998, 2005 Deep 6 Productions, Inc. Unauthorized duplication or distribution of these images prohibited under U.S. copyright law.