drugs/substance abuse
Inhalents - The Facts
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Inhalant abuse is always dangerous and can be deadly.
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Risks include suffocation, heart failure, and organ damage.
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Inhalants are intoxicating in much the same way as alcoholic beverages. Abusers often act confused and giddy, and may appear clumsy and accidentprone. Odd and unpredictable behavior is also characteristic of inhalants.
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A user’s lack of judgment and diminished physical coordination can pose significant danger.
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Headaches, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, and poor reflexes are among the side effects produced by inhalants.
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Users may become dependent and undergo painful withdrawal symptoms when they stop using.
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Many users of inhalants move onto other drugs, particularly alcohol, marijuana, and barbiturates.
Because they cost little and can be obtained easily, inhalants have become the drug of choice for many adolescents. Inhalants include gasoline, butane,
toluene products (glues, acrylic paints, paint thinners), halogenated hydrocarbons (freon, solvents, spot removers, typewriter correction fluid), nitrous oxide
(dental anesthetics, whipped cream propellants, automotive power boosters), and alkyl mitrites/nitrates (called “poppers” or “snappers”), which include room
deodorants and liquid incense. Currently, the most popular inhalants are nitrous oxide (called “Nitty”), propane, and air fresheners.
Heroin and Opioids - The Facts
In the year 2014, there were 63 deaths related to opioid and/or heroin overdoses in Lake County. The Lake County Opioid Initiative has determined that
between the years 2008-2012, heroin related overdose deaths increased over 45%, and between the years 2013-2014 heroin and opioid related overdose
deaths increased over 43%. According to hospital discharge information from the Illinois Department of Public Health, in 2012, there were a total 83 of nonfatal heroin overdoses in Lake County. In addition, there were a total of 90 non-fatal prescription overdoses in 2012. Also in 2012, non-fatal overdoses due to
heroin and prescription drugs exceeded all other drug overdoses by 175%. The Lake County Opioid In