Household Highs: Understanding Inhalants

Airs: March 27, 2008, 1-2pm EDT

Sponsor(s): CADCA

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If you thought the only drugs endangering young people are found on street corners, think again. Some of the most lethal drugs are items you probably have around your house or that they can buy at a nearby store. From nail polish remover to spray paint, there are lots of items that kids and teens turn to for that Household High. Inhalant abuse is growing. Kids think it is harmless, but they could die from just one high.

One young man learned the hard way one inhalant use can change a life forever. He's in prison because of tragic consequences that happened when he used inhalants while behind-the-wheel of his car.

During this hour-long CADCA TV broadcast, learn how to identify the signs of a household high, see what items people use to get the buzz, discover the dangers that can be associated with just one use, and learn the best ways to teach both adults and children about inhalants. Also, see how coalitions can educate people in their communities to help them realize the dangers of drugs don't just lurk on street corners.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn how to identify the signs of inhalant use

• See what items are huffed

• Find out the danger of just one use

• Hear about the best ways to talk to both children and adults 

Host:

Mary Elizabeth Elliott, Vice President, Communications and Membership, CADCA

Content Providers:

Wayne Frith, Executive director of SAFE in Chesterfield County, Virginia

SAFE�s mission is to engage all sectors of the community in working together to prevent substance abuse. SAFE participated in CADCA�s National Coalition Academy. At the 2007 CADCA Forum, SAFE received the Chairman�s Award for its �exemplary application of core competencies and essential processes of effective community problem solving.� SAFE has spearheaded a comprehensive inhalant abuse prevention initiative in Chesterfield County and initiated the formation of the Virginia Inhalant Abuse Prevention Coalition.  Mr. Frith has worked in the field of juvenile justice and services to youth and families since 1971.

Cynthia R. Lewis-Younger, MD, MPH, Florida Poison Information Center-Tampa

Dr. Lewis-Younger currently is the Managing/Medical Director of the Florida Poison Information Center-Tampa. Prior to accepting the Managing/Medical Director position in May 2006, Dr. Lewis-Younger was the Associate Medical Director for the center, as well as the Medical Director of Comprehensive Occupational Medicine for Business and Industry (COMBI). Before completing her Medical Toxicology fellowship at the Oregon Health and Sciences University in 2002, she was an Assistant Professor of Occupational Medicine from 1995-2000 at the University of Utah.  She served as Medical Officer in the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry from 1991 to 1995. Dr. Lewis-Younger graduated from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in 1979, and practiced Emergency Medicine and Occupational Medicine in the 1980s. Dr. Lewis-Younger is Board-certified in Occupational Medicine and Medical Toxicology.

Harvey Weiss, President, SYNERGIES, Executive Director of the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition

Mr. Weiss has been actively involved in developing and implementing successful community-based, statewide and national programs to reduce the instances of inhalant abuse and prenatal substance abuse for more than 15 years.  Mr. Weiss established and coordinates National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week (NIPAW) every March, which assists communities, coalitions and organizations raise awareness and promote inhalant abuse prevention. He has also been Chair of the Tennessee Inhalant Prevention Initiative established in December 2004. 

In his professional capacity, Mr. Weiss has made over 150 presentations to international, national, state and local organizations, appeared on national television and radio programs such as National Public Radio�s Morning Edition, Good Morning America, The View, ABC, NBC, CBS and CNN evening news broadcasts, been interviewed for publications such as the New York Times, USA TODAY, Good Housekeeping, Advertising Age, Teen Magazine, Ann Landers, Dear Abby and served on review panels for many publications and projects.  He is the author of numerous articles on inhalant abuse and prevention.

Mr. Weiss, former Director of the Texas Prevention Partnership, implemented statewide inhalant and prenatal substance abuse prevention initiatives and led the Texas State Alliance for the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.  The inhalant prevention initiative significantly reduced inhalant use in Texas while national trends continued to rise.  Mr. Weiss was prevention manager for statewide programs in Tennessee and Kentucky for the Southeast Center for Drug-Free Schools and Communities and was field director for the National School Resource Center, a national program to reduce school violence and vandalism.  Mr. Weiss was Board Chair, SASHA, the first comprehensive, local youth runaway program in the US.

Mr. Weiss conducted his undergraduate (BA, Psychology) and graduate studies (MBA) at the American University, Washington, D.C.

Howard C. Wolfe, Director, New England Inhalant Abuse Prevention Coalition, Member, Massachusetts Inhalant Abuse Task Force

Howard C. Wolfe, MA, LMFT started working in the field of adolescent substance abuse in 1970 and is the former Associate Director of CASPAR Alcohol and Drug Education Program. In 1994 he help found the Massachusetts Inhalant Abuse Task Force and has completed a number of projects on inhalant abuse for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health including a statewide focus group research project on inhalant abuse as well as developing educational materials for health professionals, teachers, and parents. Mr. Wolfe delivered keynote addresses at the National Inhalant Abuse Summits in 2000 and 2001 in Washington, D.C. sponsored by the U.S. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) and the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition. He co-authored the Inhalant Treatment Advisory published by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. He has provided inhalant abuse training to over 4000 teachers, therapists, physicians, nurses, first responders, and parents. Currently, he is the director of the New England Inhalant Abuse Prevention Coalition. The goal of this project (originally funded by CSAP) is to enhance the prevention infrastructure of the New England states by disseminating the �best practices� to effectively address inhalant abuse.

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