Kids Just Want to Get High

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Kids Just Want to Get High

File this under scary stories about drugs that lead to bad policy, but U.S. health officials just announced that about 7 percent of 12-year-olds have tried to get loaded by inhaling household chemicals. The little huffers far outnumbered junior pot smokers (1.4 percent), but, even at this age, alcohol is America’s drug of choice.

As Reuters reports:

Among this age group, alcohol was the only intoxicating substance used more than inhalants, according to data from 2006-2008 surveys on drug use and health compiled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The data was gleaned by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration from Department of Health and Human Services data collected between 2006 and 2008.

Why focus on inhalants? Because it’s the 18th annual National Inhalants & Poisons Awareness Week. Duh. —PZS

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