On Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 3:53 PM, 1 Company of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team and LAUSD Police, under the direction of Battalion Chief John Vidovich, responded to a reported overdose at 1839 S. Walton Av. in the Mid-City area.

Firefighters responded to reports of several students overdosing from an unknown substance. As Firefighters arrived on scene, they found School Police with 5 teen aged females, ranging in age from 14 to 16 years. Some of the girls were symptomatic.

The ladies had been observed by the School Police "huffing" an unknown substance. Huffing, is the abuse of inhalants by middle school children, which has increased by 44 percent over the last few years, according to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. Huffing brings on a euphoric effect and risks include brain damage and death. Recently, several teens have died after inhaling difluoroethane, a chemical found in a popular computer cleaning spray known as "Dust-Off."

The primary inhalant abusers are the 12 to 17 age group, followed by 18 to 25 year olds. Inhalants are one of the few substances younger children abuse more than older children. Sudden death from fatal cardiac arrhythmias is now being reported in teen aged abusers. Death from huffing can occur with first time users. Chronic abuse can result in serious, sometimes irreversible, damage to the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs and brain.

Inhalants produce effects similar to alcohol intoxication. Symptoms include:

* drowsiness and
* lightheadedness

Continued use causes:

* dizziness
* hallucinations or delusions
* belligerence and
* impaired judgment

The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department, would like to remind parents and adults that we cannot divert our attention from this critical family health issue. Help us in educating others regarding this potential teen epidemic.

Additional information can be found at the following websites:

Abuse of Inhalants
Signs and Symptoms of Inhalant Abuse
Inhalant Use
What Parents Should Know

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Submitted by d'Lisa Davies
Los Angeles Fire Department