By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery. AL – Alabama is among about a half dozen states to take part in the launch of a new anti-huffing program for teenagers.
The program targets substance abuse among teens, focusing specifically on the use of inhalants. The Alliance for Consumer Education and the American School Counselor Association are sponsoring the program. The two groups estimate almost half of parents mention the abuse of inhalants, called huffing, when talking about drug abuse with their children. The Alliance for Consumer Education says about one in every five students has abused inhalants by eight grade.
Deaths from huffing are relatively rare, but the practice can cause brain, heart, lung, kidney and liver damage.