What are the signs if someone is huffing?

Question

I am a guest at someones house and they got teenagers there and I found an empty medicine bottle, 2 rubber gloves, and a straw in the bathroom trash. The empty bottle smelt strong of chemicals, before all this I noticed them going in the laundry room(very quiet, while in the laundry room) then going outside for a while. Should I be suspecting them of huffing. These aren't my kids but I am concerned because they are my friends kids and I don't want them to get hurt.

Answer 1

I would bring up a discussion with the parents, maybe mentioning the danger signs in a roundabout way...

The following are some signs of inhalant abuse:

# Chemical smell on breath or chemical stains on skin and clothing.

# Sores around the mouth and nose.

# Runny nose or nose bleeds.

# Headaches and nausea.

# Slurred speech.

# Chronic cough.

# Sudden changes in mood and behavior.

# Empty containers of white-out, plastic bags and butane lighters.

# Secretive or other unusual behavior by a child and his or her friends.

For information, call the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition at [phone] or visit its Web site: www.inhalants.org.

Answer 2

You just described the signs of someone huffing.
That doesn't mean they are. Let them find out themselves how bad it can mess them up.

Or you could be proactive and risk embarassment, personally I'd do nothing, but I'm an asshole, so go figure.