VSA Headlines - July 2018

A new paper published in Schizophrenia Research, authored by Mustonen et al, and based on a longitudinal study of 225 participants suggests that inhalant use in adolescence increases the risk for psychosis. The authors conclude:

"Inhalant use in adolescence was independently associated with incident psychosis. The adverse health outcomes associated with adolescent inhalant use provide compelling reasons for implementation of policies to reduce the use of volatile substances in adolescents."

Read the full paper, Adolescent inhalant use and psychosis risk – a prospective longitudinal study.

Another new paper published in Neurology and authored by DeLuca et al suggests that inhaling paint and varnish fumes may increase the risk of multiple sclerosis.

"How this cocktail of MS genes, organic solvents and smoking contributes so significantly to MS risk warrants investigation.

"In the meantime, avoiding cigarette smoke and unnecessary exposure to organic solvents, particularly in combination with each other, would seem reasonable lifestyle changes people can take to reduce the risk of MS, especially in people with a family history of the disease."

Read the full paper, Genes, smoking, and organic solvent exposure: An alarming cocktail for MS risk.

Other news this month includes:-

UK

The extraordinary true story of Garin Jenkins: solvent abuse, Jesus Christ and THAT picture: He defied the odds to make something of his life after it appeared he was going nowhere

Warning about inhaling 'lethal gases' after canisters found discarded in Broughton: More cannisters were found in the Old Warren area over the weekend, with police posting an image of the bag of the items to show the scale of the problem.

Drivers caught 'inhaling gas from balloon' and 'four times over alcohol limit' in Gloucestershire: Police have dealt with drivers alleged to have used 'gas from a balloon' and large quantities of alcohol this week.

Newquay police begin summer crackdown on teen boozing and drugs as officers reveal seized stash: Operation Exodus is in full swing in Newquay after police seized a stash of alcohol and nitrous oxide from teenagers on holiday.

Dangerous 'laughing gas' canisters left littered in a Bedworth park: Inhaling the gas can lead to fainting and even heart attacks.

Ipswich public space protection orders widened to tackle gang loitering and drug use: "Whilst the previous DPPO and existing PSPO can be used to address issues around street drinking, it fails to provide any redress to other, associated, issues such as solvent abuse, aggressive begging, rough sleeping, defecating or urinating in public."

USA

Driver sentenced to 2 years in fatal pedestrian crash (WI): A Reeseville man accused of fatally striking a pedestrian after inhaling aerosol has been sentenced to 2 years in prison.

Man charged with killing 4 in high-speed crash (FL): Detectives say [he] had been huffing electronics-dusting spray shortly before the crash.

Driver might have huffed before wrong-way crash that killed 2 in classic car, police say (MN):  An alleged wrong-way driver is charged in a crash that killed two men test-driving a vintage car in central Minnesota.

Man huffed stolen dust cleaner at 2 Walmarts on day he died, Kenner police say (LA): [He was] accused of stealing dust cleaner and huffing the cans at two Kenner Walmarts before a confrontation with police. He later died at a Kenner hospital following a medical emergency.

Man accused of battering juveniles, slapping woman (NM): A San Juan County man is accused of battering two juvenile males and slapping a woman after inhaling from a can of pressurized air.

Clearwater mom charged with 'huffing' chemicals while driving 1-year-old (FL): Florida Highway Patrol troopers arrested a Clearwater mother for huffing chemicals while driving with a 1-year-old in the backseat.

Indiana mother arrested after huffing glue near 3 kids (IN): Authorities have arrested a mother for allegedly huffing glue and possibly using fentanyl near her three children.

Deputy and K-9 partner recovering after crash while pursuing wrong-way driver (OH): Wilson said a new trend he sees is “huffing” and driving. “The effects of it wear off fairly quickly. Which is why people are huffing while they are driving.”

Batesville Police Warn of Huffing Dangers (AR): A warning from police in Batesville over a dangerous high more people are getting from a household cleaner. In the past month officers have seen a spike in calls involving people huffing air dusters.

New ordinance approved in Tulsa for aerosol spray paint (OK): Individuals under 18 can only possess or purchase aerosol spray paint if they are in the company of a teacher, employer, guardian or parent. Tulsa World reports the ordinance is the brain child of City Councilor Connie Dodson. She hopes this will help address the city’s huffing and graffiti problems.

Other vehicle and traffic incidents caused by VSA were reported in OH, PA and WI while other VSA-associated arrests took place in FL, IA, IL, NY, PA, SD and TN. (NB - some US stories are now inaccessible due to new GDPR legislation.)

CANADA

Police help Pikangikum youth build safer community: The five-year project funded by Public Safety aims to reduce youth crime and solvent abuse in the remote First Nation.

INDIA

Srinagar tops list of drug addiction cases in 2017: ... drugs like cabbies, brown sugar and heroin were commonly used by drug addicts in Kashmir adding there were no checks on the menace. “Inhaling of Fevicol SR, glues, petrol, thinner, erasers are being used by the school going children," said Dr Yasir.

PAKISTAN

Rehabilitation centre gives hope to drug addicts (Swat): “I started glue sniffing and then got addicted to heroin at the age of 10.

PHILIPPINES

PDEA vows to go after street kids using solvent: PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino led the launch of “Project: Sagip Batang Solvent” designed to rescue street children from the drug trade and drug abuse with sniffers of solvent as primary targets