IT recently came to the attention of Gloucester Police and other members of the community that people appear to have been inhaling aerosol spray from cans of deodorant.
Many aerosol products contain volatile chemicals that can produce a short-lived feeling of euphoria, dizziness, or hallucinations when inhaled, often referred to as huffing.
One member of the community told NOTA that he had observed several empty aerosol spray cans dumped at the back of the Senior Citizens.
“Gloucester Police recently became aware that a few local young people had been inhaling the spray from deodorant aerosol cans,” said a spokesperson for Gloucester Police.
“People need to be aware that inhaling such spray is a very dangerous activity which can, and has, caused serious injury or death.”
According to the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, using inhalant products in ways other than directed is dangerous, especially for young people.
When inhaled, the chemicals enter the bloodstream and can quickly affect the brain, causing immediate impacts including dizziness, headaches, nausea and vomiting, impaired coordination, blurred vision, shortness of breath, coughing, hallucinations and delusions, convulsions and coma, sudden cardiac events, and death.
“We ask members of the community to please report any such activity to police,” said the spokesperson.
“Doing so could well save young lives.”
By John WATTS
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