Tuesday, August 3, 1999

By D. PARVAZ
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Among younger kids -- 14 and under -- "huffing" (or inhaling) freon, benzol-based emolients, solvents, aerosols, adhesives and other solvents is nothing new. But as more expensive drugs such as ketamine and Ecstasy grow in popularity, the use of these solvents increases because kids see them as a cheap high.

"With inhalants (solvents), those chemicals just get everything in your body," says pharmacology professor Wilkie Wilson. "I mean they get your liver, your heart, your kidneys. Those things are just horrible."

It makes sense not to inhale something that cleans bathroom tiles.

Older users have access to a far safer class of inhalants, including amyl nitrate and nitrous oxide -- although teens often inhale the nitrous oxide from whipping cream cans, known as doing "whippets."

These drugs have been widely used in the underground club scene for at least three decades, but are now being used among the more mainstream party crowds in clubs.

A King County Public Health Department report on drug trends in the Seattle and King County area contains reports of raves where nitrous oxide balloons were sold for $5 each.

These inhalants, which increase blood flow to the heart and give a "rush," are often referred to as "poppers" and "thrust." They are also used to heighten sexual experiences.

The damage

As long as amyl nitrate and nitrous oxide -- which is sometimes used as an anesthetic agent by dentists and surgeons -- are used as intended (inhaled with oxygen, not swallowed), the risk is relatively limited.

Pre-existing risk factors

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