GLUE AND OTHER SOLVENTS
AKA: Butane, thinners, gas
Lighter fuel, glue,
paint, aerosols, nail polish remover and lots of other products are
inhaled to get high.
Why do people take
it?
What class is it?
How does it affect the
heart?
What are the
other effects on the body?
What are illegal drugs?
Illegal drugs can damage the brain, heart, and other important
organs. Different drugs affect you in different ways and include
different risks. Here you can find out more about them.
Class A, B or C?
The British government separate the different kinds of illegal
drugs into three different categories. These classes (A, B and C)
carry different levels of penalty for possession and dealing. Drugs
classified ‘A’ have the strongest penalties, drugs classified ‘C’
have the lowest.
(These classes have nothing to do with how strong or dangerous a
drug is – some class ‘C’ drugs can kill you.)
To find out more about the fines and prison sentences you
can get for carrying drugs, go to talktofrank
GLUE AND OTHER SOLVENTS
Why do people take it?
Inhaling solvents can have a similar effect as drinking a lot of
alcohol, but the hit doesn’t last very long and leaves you with a
really nasty headache within about an hour.
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What class is it?
It’s not illegal to inhale solvents, but it is illegal for
shopkeepers to sell them to you if they think you’re going to
inhale them. It’s also illegal for them to sell gas lighter fuel to
anyone under 18.
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How does it affect the heart?
- Can cause black-outs.
- Can cause heart rhythm disturbances.
- Can cause sudden death.
There have been rare cases where cardiomyopathy occurs – this is
when the heart muscle becomes damaged, and the condition can be
long term.
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What are the other effects on the body?
- Can cause choking and suffocation.
- Can also lead to brain damage.
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Useful links
Talk to Frank:
www.talktofrank.com
0800 776600
24 hours a day, every day.
Textphone for people with hearing
difficulties
0800 9178765
Release:
www.release.org.uk
0845 4500 215
help and legal advice line
(open 11am-1pm for drug or legal advice. 2-4pm drugs advice
only)
References
Talk to Frank
(drugs information service)
www.talktofrank.com
0800 776600
Release
(drugs information service)
www.release.org.uk
0845 4500 215
'Cocaine and the Heart'
New England Journal of Medicine 2003
Vol 348:487-488
Kloner.R, Rezkalla.S
Cocaine Abuse: Repolarisation Abnormalities
and Ventricular Arrhythmias. The American Journal of Medical
Science 2000
Vol 320 (1)
Gamouras.G et al