TEENAGE INHALANT USE YOUTH in Fairfax County Self-reported by 8th, 10th and 12th grade students on the Fairfax SURVEY County Youth Survey. Data from the Sixth Grade Youth Survey is FAIRFAX COUNTY reported separately and not included in totals. of students report past decrease since 2011 in past of 10th and 12th graders 2% 30-day inhalant use 52% 30-day use among 8th, <1% report past 30-day use 10th & 12th graders of 6th graders report of 6th graders report past 4% ever trying inhalants of 8th graders report 2% 30-day use 3% past 30-day use What You Need to Know Inhalant use (sniffing or breathing aerosol or Inhalant use in Fairfax County has decreased Common Inhalants: other gases to get high) is the most common over the past few years and is now com- • glue drug behavior for 6th graders (2%). Four parable to the national average for students • shoe polish percent of 6th graders have tried inhalants overall and in the 8th, 10th and 12th grades. • gasoline or lighter fluid in their lifetime. (A national comparison for 6th graders isn’t • spray paints or other aerosols Inhalants are the only substances used available.)* • air fresheners or locker room odorizers to get high where use for 10th and 12th Gender is not a significant factor in the known as “poppers” or “rush” graders (each below 1%) is lower than use prevalence of inhalant use. Girls and boys • correction fluid among 8th graders (3%). report similarly for using inhalants in the • degreasers past 30 days. Race and ethnicity are not • cleaning fluid significant factors, either. • nitrous oxide in whipped cream dispensers known as “whippits” What Can You Do? * National comparisons are from the 2019 Monitoring the Future Survey. IF YOU NOTICE CONSIDER THIS IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ►Chemical odors on breath or clothing. ►Drug use has serious consequences on the teen- ►Set clear expectations for their behavior and ►Paint or other stains on face, hands or age brain because it is still developing at this age. apply appropriate and consistent consequences. clothes. ►Nine out of 10 people who met medical criteria ►Talk to your teens. Listen and try to understand for drug or alcohol abuse or dependence started the pressures of their life. Avoid criticism. ►Hidden empty spray paint or solvent contain- smoking, drinking or using other drugs before ers, and chemical-soaked rags or clothing. the age of 18. Inhalant users, on average, initiate ►Let your child know that he or she can always ►Drunk or disoriented appearance. use of other drugs at younger ages and display count on you and come to you for support. ►Slurred speech. a higher lifetime prevalence of substance use ►Keep track of where your teens are and what disorders, including abuse of prescription drugs, they are doing. Get to know who their friends are. ►Nausea or loss of appetite. when compared with substance abusers without a ►Inattentiveness, lack of coordination, history of inhalant use. ►Store prescription and over-the-counter medi- cines in a secure place. Immediately and secure- irritability and depression. ►More Americans die from drug overdoses than in ly dispose of expired or unused medicines. ►Seizures. car crashes, and this increasing trend is driven by the use of prescription painkillers. ►Talk to your teen’s school counselor, psychologist ►Missing household items. ►Drug use lowers one’s inhibitions, leading to or social worker. actions that teenagers will later regret. ►Be a positive role model. Don’t misuse alcohol or ►Inhalants can be lethal, even among otherwise use illegal drugs. Don’t drink and drive. healthy people using them once. Sniffing highly concentrated amounts of the chemicals in solvents Adapted from www.drugabuse.gov and or aerosol sprays can directly cause heart failure www.drugfree.org. Who Can Help? within minutes. Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) Fairfax County Public Schools Partnership for Drug-Free Kids Helpline http://bit.ly/FairfaxCSB http://bit.ly/FCPSspecialsvcs www.drugfree.org/get-help/helpline Entry & Referral 703-383-8500, TTY 711 Intervention & Prevention Services 571-423-4020 855-378-4373 24-Hour Emergency Services 703-573-567, TTY 711 Student Safety & Wellness 571-423-4270 s 20% y a D 0 3 t s a P 15% n i e s U s 20% g y n i a t r D o 0 p 10% 3 e t R s s a t P n 15% e n i d u e t s S U f 5% o g t n i n t r e o c r p 10% e e P R s t 0% n e d 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 u Data from the Youth Survey reinforces decades of research t S f 5% Number of Protective Factors o that shows that when youth have protective factors (also t n e c r known as assets) in their lives, they do better in lots of e Mariuana Other Rx Drug* Painkillers* Heroin P different areas. Having just three protective factors 0% 0 LSD 1 2 OTC Drug* 3 4 Inhalants 5 6 Synthetic dramatically reduces the likelihood that youth will Mariuana *Reported use is for non-medicalNumb useer o fof P theserotect idrugs.ve Factors engage in risky behaviors. The Youth Survey shows that every protective factor makes a difference. Mariuana Other Rx Drug* Painkillers* Heroin LSD OTC Drug* Inhalants Synthetic Young people in Fairfax County report positive influences Mariuana from the people and opportunities in their lives. Take action *Reported use is for non-medical use of these drugs. to be an asset in a young person’s life and help to build a stronger, more positive community that benefits ALL Protective Factors children and youth. • Accepting responsibility for one’s actions • Participating in extracurricular activities • Having community adults to talk to • Having teachers recognize good work • Performing community service • Having parents available for help Past 30-Day Drug Use Past 30-Day Inhalant Use OVERALL 8TH GRADE 10TH GRADE 12TH GRADE 6% ALCOHOL 15.1% 4.5% 13.9% 27.7% 5% MARIJUANA 9.7% 2.5% 9.9% 17.0% SYNTHETIC 4% 1.7% 1.1% 2.1% 1.9% MARIJUANA 6% 3% INHALANTS 1.5% 2.8% 1.0% 0.7% 5% 2% PAINKILLERS* 2.6% 2.6% 2.5% 2.6% 4% 1% OTHER PRESCRIPTION 3.3% 2.7% 3.2% 4.1% 3% 0% DRUGS* 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2% HEROIN 0.3% 0.3% 0.4% 0.3% 1% 6thGrade 8th Grade 8th Grade 10th Grade 10th Grade Fairfax Fairfax US* Fairfax US* *Reported use is for non-medical use of these drugs. 0% *National comparisons are from the Monitoring the Future Survey. 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 WEBSITES FOR MORE INFORMATION 6th Grade 8th Grade 8th Grade 10th Grade 10th Grade US* Fairfax County Youth Survey RelatedFairfax Fairfax FactorsUS* Fairfax *National comparisons are from the Monitoring the Future Survey. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/youthsurvey Fairfax County youth who have used drugs or alcohol in the Fairfax County Prevention System past 30 days are more likely to: http://bit.ly/FairfaxPrevention ▪ Have skipped school or been suspended. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America ▪ Have experienced symptoms of depression or www.drugfree.org considered suicide. NIDA for Teens www.teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/inhalants ▪ Have had sexual intercourse. The Fairfax County Youth Survey was administered in the fall of 2019. Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all A Fairfax County, Va., publication county programs, services and activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request. For information, call 703-324-4600, TTY 711. November 2020.