[Substance abuse with inhalants]

Abstract

In this article, Charles Vaille maintains that for the past two decades there has been a renewed outbreak of substance abuse with inhalants among youth throughout the world. He asserts that this phenomenon can no longer be considered as limited to a few isolated incidents. The volatile substances are common place, inexpensive, and unlike other drugs, legal; they are subject to neither international nor national controls. The specificity of addicts to inhalants renders prevention very difficult. Vaille discusses this point after describing the following two types of inhalant addiction: 1. Inhalation of gas fumes: two examples of youths inhaling fumes are cited followed by a description of ways in which inhaling or "sniffing" is performed. Vaille then presents the short-term effects of the "high", both psychological and physical. He then proceeds to disclose the harmful long-term effects concluding that addiction due to inhaling fumes seems to be developed throughout Europe. 2. Forced hyperventilation: a detailed description of how the "game" of forced hyperventilation is played is followed by a discussion of its effects on health. In discussing regulatory measures, Vaille maintains that a country's first effort at preventing substance abuse is to limit and modify the existence of such substances. After describing the various means attempted, he concludes that these effects will always result in an elusive prevention, due to the extraordinary number of inhalant substances as well as the enticing aspect of the "forbidden fruit". Regulatory measures offer an answer to those seeking a clear conscience rather than attempting to get at the root of the problem.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)