Apr 17, 2006 By Jenny Susa 7 min read

BROWNSVILLE – Not many parents would think that their children could possibly be using a Ready Whip or Pringles can to get high, but some found out recently that these common items, among many others, can be used for that very purpose. Brownsville Area High School hosted a discussion panel this week, where local experts talked to parents about problem behaviors their students may be getting involved in without their knowledge.

Jill Burlock, a prevention specialist from the Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission (FCDAC), said that all drug and alcohol abuse should be a concern for parents, but many don’t realize the popularity of inhalants among young people.

“Inhalant use is usually a young person’s activity,” said Burlock. “It is usually their first drug experience and they feel it is safe because it is not really drugs.”

Burlock explained that the “high” students achieve is not a typical drug high. People who try inhalants may feel dizzy, have ringing in their ears and experience nausea.

“Because they feel different, they think it’s a high,” said Burlock.

She noted that the items used are easily accessible because they are “under every kitchen sink.”

Burlock said that inhalants come in three categories, which are nitrite poppers, aerosols, and gases or solvents.

Gases and solvents include all gases and items such as WD40 or fabric protecting sprays.

Anything that comes in an aerosol can also be used as an inhalant.

Nitrite poppers are cans that use propellants to produce the product inside, such as Ready Whip, which Burlock said is a common item used for this activity.

“Inhalants are a very quick way to get brain damage,” said Burlock. “If you notice disorientation sleepiness, or nausea, your child could be using inhalants.”

Burlock said that parents may never think twice about Pringles cans or fast food bags accumulating in their children’s rooms or cars, but these can be used to place something that has been saturated with an inhalant so the user can hold the can or bag over his nose and mouth.

Burlock pointed out that a person could die the very first time they try an inhalant, which is why it is so important for parents to talk to their children about the issue.

She said that items used for inhaling can be easily purchased on the Internet, and the items will arrive in a plain box with no shipping label.

“This is how easy it is for these things to come into your home,” said Burlock. “Education is the best prevention tool, and it’s very important to watch what your children are doing on the Internet.”

Burlock said that educating children about the dangers of all drugs would prevent many from ever getting involved.

Another way that young people are trying to achieve a high is commonly called the choking game, and Diane Snyder, executive director of Outreach Teen and Family Services, told parents that it is not a game at all.

“The choking game is gaining in popularity,” said Snyder. “I hate using the term game because it is not a game in any way, shape or form. But that is the term that kids are using.”

Snyder explained that during this activity, children use self-asphyxiation as a way to get high.

“They see it as an alternative to using drugs,” said Snyder. “They think it is safe because they are not putting anything into their bodies.”

Snyder said that children ages 9-15 are commonly participating in the choking game, and while most of them don’t hear anything about it from their parents, they do hear about it from their peers and on the Internet. She said that some kids do it by allowing their friends to choke them until they pass out, and other try it alone by tying something around their necks.

“Kids can die the first time they play this game,” said Snyder. “It only takes three minutes for brain damage to occur, and they are killing brain cells every time they do it. It can also cause heart attacks, strokes, and when they do it alone they could suffer a concussion or broken bones. Kids don’t understand the damage they can do.”

Snyder pointed out that a child doesn’t have to be at risk for problem behavior to try this.

“If I’m a child with my friends and they say ‘do you want to try this cool game?’ I want to experiment and fit in with my friends,” said Snyder.

Signs that your children could be participating in the choking game include frequent complaints of headaches, marks on the neck, bloodshot eyes, a raspy voice, or unusual things tied in knots in their rooms, such as sheets.

Snyder also suggested that parents check on what their children are looking at on the Internet.

“The number one thing we can do is talk to kids about this,” said Snyder. “They will hear about it from peers and on the Internet and that’s the last place we want them to hear about it.”

Dawn Zinn, a counselor from Chestnut Ridge, told parents that another problem behavior that is on the rise is self-mutilation, more commonly known as “cutting.”

Zinn said that to fall into the category of self-injurious behavior, one has to be harming oneself, and more kids are trying things such as cutting themselves or burning themselves with cigarettes as a way of coping with something.

Zinn said that most kids who do something like this don’t mean it as a suicide attempt, but they do it because they don’t have the coping skills to deal with problems.

“It is pretty stressful now to be an adolescent and most don’t have adequate coping skills,” said Zinn, adding that some children who engage in this activity are open about what they are doing while others try to hide it.

“For some people this is a result of a mental health issue and they need to have treatment,” said Zinn. “The ones who are repetitive are usually more secretive about it and they become good at trying to hide their self injury.”

Zinn said that other children who injure themselves more sporadically are using it as a coping mechanism when stress comes about, but those who are repetitive about it usually have mental health issues.

She said those using it to cope with stress have told her that focusing on the physical pain is easier than dealing with their emotional pain.

Zinn explained that self-injury has become a “cultural thing,” so if one student does it, it would be likely to see others follow suit.

Zinn said that parents should talk to their children about positive ways of handling stress, and if signs of self-injury become evident, seek help immediately.

Pat Mowen, of the Fayette County Crime Victims Center said that her organization is there to help families struggling with some of the issues addressed, as well as help anyone who is the victim of any type of crime. She said all services are offered at no cost and with the strictest of confidence. The agency is located in Uniontown and it offers a 24-hour hotline that everyone can call.

Frank Berdar, assistant principal at the high school, said the district hosted the panel as a way to “get the word out” about some of the important issues that many parents are unaware of.

FCDAC prevention specialist Lorraine Yasenosky commended the district for allowing the experts to conduct the panel, and the panels that were held earlier for students to ask questions about the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse.