Pubdate: Wed, 16 Mar 2005
Source: Jackson Sun News (TN)
Copyright: 2005 The Jackson Sun
Contact:  http://www.jacksonsun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1482
Author: Tiffany S. Jones
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

SEMINAR HIGHLIGHTS DANGERS OF INHALANTS

Although numbers of teens abusing drugs and alcohol are down, some
have found new ways to get high, and it is killing them.

More and more teens are getting involved in abusing inhalants such as
common household chemicals, said Will Beyer, a licensed senior
psychological examiner.

Beyer was one of the presenters at the inhalant abuse seminar at
Liberty Technology Magnet High School on Tuesday night. A program all
about inhalants was necessary because oftentimes, inhalant abuse gets
overshadowed by marijuana, cocaine and meth, he said.

''Inhalants are often the first drug used by adolescents,'' Beyer told
the audience.

Medina resident and mother of two Susan Carruth attended the seminar
with her adolescent sons to learn more about inhalants, their effects
and how to spot some warning signs, she said.

''It seems to be more prone to boys than girls,'' Carruth said. ''I
wanted them to hear it from somebody else who knows more about the
dangers.''

She also wanted to get more knowledge for herself because she did not
know much about inhalants before and she felt it would be a good
opportunity for them all.

Beyer explained that inhalants are often ''gateway'' drugs because
they will often lead to the use of other drugs. Some signs of inhalant
abuse include chemical breath, sores around the mouth, nausea, anxiety
and irritability. Parents should also be aware if they have found bags
that have had chemicals sprayed into them or chemical-soaked rags or
old clothes.

Former inhalant abuser Terry Bishop hoped that his presence and some
of his experiences would help some of the children in attendance.

''I came so (they) wouldn't have to go through what I went through,''
Bishop said.

Bishop, 34, started abusing inhalants when he was 15 years old. He
stopped at 25. When asked what made him stop, he pointed up and said,
''He did.''

''God made me stop, but I won't talk much about it tonight because
they won't let you say a lot about him in the schools,'' Bishop added.

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