Addiction by Glue.

This is an article i wrote for a youth magazine sometime ago. It might help someone here

According to the NCI dictionary, Any substance other than food that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat, or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Drugs can also affect how the brain and the rest of the body work and cause changes in mood, awareness, thoughts, feelings, or behavior 

What this implies, is that drugs is not only pills or syrups. Drugs are available around us in various forms and we sometimes unconsciously indulge without meaning to. In fact, a lot of children are exposed to drugs innocently. 

A very common category of entry level drug that is not talked about is Inhalants. Inhalants are things that are breathed in (inhaled) to give the user an immediate rush, or high. They include glues, paint thinners, dry cleaning fluids, gasoline, felt-tip marker fluid, hair spray, deodorants and spray paint

One of the most common inhalants around us is adhesive gums. This common item is common in homes, schools and offices. While it explicitly states on the bottle that it should be kept our of reach of children, the only reason some parents comply is so the child doesn't not glue him or herself to a surface.

But did you know that it contains aromatic ketones like toluene which can get users high thus initiating a craving for a repeat high till it becomes uncontrollable, it is then identified as addiction.

Exposure to glue and other inhalants is sometimes innocent, using glue in closed space for long periods of time is an example of how easily one can get exposed.

To prevent this kind of entry, caretakers need to take more responsibility and follow instructions on cans of household agents, keeping them out of reach of children as well as  storing and disposing them properly.

With what you know now, answer the following questions.

How do you feel about calling a glue sniffer and addict?

Do you think they deserve to be stigmatized?

Is it okay to call glue sniffers, victims?

You can send response and questions to wacanda@menitosng.com

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