Drugs
GLUES AND AEROSOLS
Appearance:
Any volatile substance that gives off fumes of an intoxicating nature, this can include butane gas, aerosol sprays,solvent based glues and correcting fluids. Different substances have different effects.
Solvents can be sniffed, from a cloth or a plastic bag. Gas products can be squirted directly into the back of the throat.
Effects:
- Difficult to think straight, drunk and dreamlike feelings.
- Effects are short lasting so users keep repeating the dose to continue the feelings.
- Hallucinations.
- Hangovers, bad headaches and feeling sleepy.
- Dependence.
The Risks:
- Nausea, vomiting and blackouts.
- Fatal heart problems, sometimes from first usage.
- Risk of suffocation if inhaled from a plastic bag.
- Squirting gas can cause throat to swell preventing breathing and also cause heart to slow dangerously.
- Long-term use affects the brain, liver and kidneys.
- Used in combination with alcohol can lead to an increased risk of death.
The Law:
Solvent use is not illegal. It is illegal in England and Wales for shopkeepers to sell substances they think likely to be inhaled. In Scotland the law is different but the effect similar.
It is an offence to sell gas lighter refills to anyone under the age of 18.