Drenda Carlson, director of the Youth Connections Coalition, says the best defense against inhalant abuse is talking to children early and often.

"Even a kindergartner can understand the concept about what is healthy and what's not," she said.

Talking about the dangers of inhalants is the first step in preventing abuse and one of the messages presented to a small crowd Monday night at Four Georgians Elementary School during an inhalant awareness event.

Use teachable moments, Carlson said, such as when painting models.

"Talk about the dangers of inhaling the paint into your body," she said.

According to a 2008 survey of Helena's middle and high school students, 170 reported sniffing glue, breathing the contents of an aerosol spray can, or inhaling other gases or sprays in order to get high, Teresa Paquelet-Brown, even organizer said.

It took Paquelet-Brown, a parent of two teenage daughters, about five minutes to round up a few dozen products from her home that can be used to get high when huffed or sniffed.

"They aren't considered a drug because they are helpful products around the house," she said. "Improperly used, they can be very dangerous. This is not something we think to talk about, but we should, because as parents, we are the front-line defense for our kids. Education is the key to prevention."

The informational event coincided with the National Inhalant Prevention Week March 15-21. Research from the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition (NIPC) indicates one in five students in America has used an inhalant to get high by the time he or she reaches the eighth grade.

There are more than 1,400 household products that could be inhaled improperly, according to the Alliance for Consumer Education.

Many signs are typical of someone who is intoxicated, but two key indicators are a chemical smell or odor on clothing and/or sores around the nose or mouth, according one of the slides in the PowerPoint presentation.

NIPC says that inhalants are an equal opportunity method of substance abuse because they are so readily available at any local store.

Vicki Paronto of Helena called the Independent Record Monday morning after reading the event preview.

"Huffing is not new," the 60-year-old nurse said. "But I don't think people realize the brain damage it causes."

She'll never forget a patient she worked with at a nursing home over 30 years ago.

"He was a beautiful, healthy kid that was devastated because of huffing," she said, adding he couldn't speak or control his bladder.

Depending on dosage, the user can experience anything from stimulation or a feeling of less inhibition to unconsciousness or Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome, which can occur the 100th, 10th or first time he or she uses an inhalant, according to the NIPC.

YCC provided all Helena elementary schools with lessons on inhalant use.

One worksheet for early elementary students showed items such as insect spray, a rose, bananas, and paint, and students are asked to put an X over the pictures that are not safe to smell.

Another strategy to prevent inhalant abuse that YCC advocates is educating local merchants.

"We are working with businesses so that store clerks and owners know what to look for," Carlson said. "So they can be part of the solution."

Carlson said community members, teachers, neighbors and relatives play a role in prevention.

She said YCC is available to present inhalant awareness information to any organization. Call 324-1032 to schedule a time.

Alana Listoe: 447-4081 or alana.listoe@helenair.com