EMS Providers Treat Utah Men Accused of Huffing
Jan. 17--SYRACUSE -- An 18-year-old Syracuse man is facing charges after rolling his car while huffing air duster, a chemical used to clean electronic appliances, police say.
At 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Spencer Steven Nicolas rolled a green 2000 Chevy Malibu at 3361 W. 700 South, said Detective Heath Rogers.
Nicolas was traveling west on the narrow road when the accident occurred, Rogers said.
Davis County Sheriff's Office deputy paramedics were called to the scene.
Nicolas and a 17-year-old passenger were transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment.
Nicolas was cited for driving under the influence of drugs, possession of a psychotoxic chemical, failure to wear a seat belt and failure to stop at a stop sign, Rogers said.
He said law enforcement officials have recently responded to several calls concerning people huffing computer cleaners. Among them, Rogers said, was a woman who was arrested for stealing air duster from Walmart and huffing it in the parking lot.
According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, the abuse of inhalants is becoming more prevalent among adults.
In March 2011, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported 54 percent of all those who sought treatment were 18 or older.
The effects of huffing are similar to LSD or PCP, according to the center.
Items that are commonly abused include computer cleaners, glues, lighter fluids, shoe polishes and spray paints.
The long-term effects from inhaling chemicals include weight loss, muscle weakness, depression, kidney damage, liver damage and hearing loss, according to Inhalant.org.
The Centers for Disease Control lists abusing inhalants as second only to the abuse of marijuana among those younger than 18.
