Inhalant abuse is often overlooked, despite the fact that nearly 20 percent of young people have experimented with them at least once by the time they're in eighth grade. Inhalant abuse involves breathing in the fumes from a substance such as glue, solvents, fuel, Freon, or paint thinners.

"Use of these chemicals can produce a euphoric feeling similar to that experienced with other illicit drugs. The effects of the inhalant are intensified when breathing from a closed bag."

Though the long-term damage caused by huffing isn't known, the short-term damage is easy to determine. Some speculate that long-term exposure causes brain damage, and damage to the central nervous system. Read more at BentonEveningNews.com.

Private boarding schools offer a structured environment for kids who may find themselves with too much free time on their hands. Find one at BoardingSchoolsInfo.com.

Labels: drug_abuse, experimentation, middle_school