Posted on August 5, 2010

Representative Charley Murphy of Massachusetts’ 21st Middlesex district has helped facilitate the passage of a new state bill that includes treatment options for families affected by inhalant abuse.

Under federal law, inhalants are not classified as controlled substances mainly because many household cleaning products or aerosol cans can be used as inhalants, making it difficult for the justice system to authorize substance abuse treatment for inhalant abusers. Currently, Massachusetts family members, physicians, and law enforcement have the capacity to petition the courts for substance abusers to receive court-mandated alcohol or substance abuse treatment in state-approved rehabilitation facilities. Court-ordered treatment usually involves substance abuse rehabilitation residency for 30–90 days, depending on the severity of the substance abuse and its related problems. However, the existing statute overlooks the need for rehabilitation for inhalant abusers whose substance abuse dependencies and addictions tend to go untreated.

Inhalant abuse, which involves sniffing or inhaling toxic fumes from chemical liquid, spray, and gas products to achieve a high, is most common among 12–17 year olds. In 2007, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimated that 1 million teenagers were dependent on or abusing inhalants that year. Around 17.2% of adolescents who abuse drugs admit that inhalants were their first substance of abuse. Because inhalants do not gain as much notice as illicit substances do in the eyes of the law, inhalant abuse—or “huffing”—can often serve as a gateway drug for more harmful substance abuse problems. Inhalants can create anything from a small high to cardiac arrest when inhaled, and can even lead to death; essentially, there are no safe levels of abuse when children decide to inhale dangerous toxic vapors.

With passage of this new state law, Rep. Murphy hopes to bring more focus on this serious problem and assist local families who are affected by inhalant abuse get the help they need. Inhalant abuse has the capacity to cause severe adverse affects including respiratory and cardiac problems, depression, uncharacteristic behavior, anger, aggressiveness, and mood swings. SAMHSA has reported on relationships found between inhalant abuse by teenagers and major depressive episodes and delinquent behavior. Families affected by inhalant use in their households may feel powerless against preventing their addicted teenagers from accessing everyday products in the kitchen, bathroom, or garage that can be used for inhalant abuse. With instatement of Rep. Murphy’s bill, the courts can now have the ability to intervene during these crucial moments for teenagers and provide them with the treatment they need, and hopefully prevent further growth of this risky behavior among youths.

Source: Boston.com, Murphy Touts Passage of Inhalant Bill, August 3, 2010