Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers 79 BATH SALTS (continued) injection, with the worst outcomes apparently associated with snorting or intravenous administration. Mephedrone is of particular concern because, according to the United Kingdom experience, it presents a high risk for overdose. These chemicals act in the brain like stimulant drugs (indeed they are sometimes touted as cocaine substitutes); thus they present a high abuse and addiction liability. Consistent with this notion, these products have been reported to trigger intense cravings not unlike those experienced by methamphetamine users, and clinical reports from other countries appear to corroborate their addictiveness. They can also confer a high risk for other medical adverse effects. Some of these may be linked to the fact that, beyond their known psychoactive ingredients, the contents of bath salts are largely unknown, which makes the practice of abusing them, by any route, that much more dangerous. Unfortunately, bath salts have already been linked to an alarming number of ER visits across the country. Doctors and clinicians at poison centres have indicated that ingesting or snorting “bath salts” containing synthetic stimulants can cause chest pains, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, agitation, hallucinations, extreme paranoia, and delusions. INHALANTS Inhalants are common products found right in the home and are among the most deadly substances kids use. Although other substances that are problematically used can be inhaled, the term inhalants refers to the various substances that people typically take only by inhaling. These substances include: • solvents (liquids that become gas at room temperature) • aerosol sprays • gases • nitrites (prescription medicines for chest pain) Inhalants are various products easily bought and found in the home or workplace - such as spray paints, markers, glues, and cleaning fluids. They contain dangerous substances that have psychoactive (mind-altering) properties when inhaled. Inhalant use can result in death from the very first use. Teens use inhalants by sniffing or “snorting” fumes from containers; spraying aerosols directly into the mouth or nose; bagging, by inhaling a substance inside a paper or plastic bag; huffing from an inhalant-soaked rag, or inhaling from balloons filled with nitrous oxide. Young people are likely to use inhalants, in part, because inhalants are readily available and inexpensive. Parents should see that these substances are monitored closely so that children do not use them. Inhalants fall into the following categories: Solvents • industrial or household solvents or solventcontaining products, including paint thinners or solvents, degreasers (dry-cleaning fluids), gasoline, and glues • art or office supply solvents, including correction fluids, felt-tip-marker fluid, and electronic contact cleaners Gases • gases used in household or commercial products, including butane lighters and propane tanks, whipping cream aerosols or dispensers (whippets), and refrigerant gases • household aerosol propellants and associated solvents in items such as spray paints, hair or deodorant sprays, and fabric protector sprays • medical anesthetic gases, such as ether, chloroform, halothane, and nitrous oxide (laughing gas) Nitrites • aliphatic nitrites, including cyclohexyl nitrite, which is available to the general public; amyl nitrite, which is available only by prescription; and butyl nitrite, which is now an illegal substance continued
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