Everyday, I pass this open area when I go downtown. And everyday, I see kids aged 8-15 yrs old hanging around huffing on plastic with industrial sealant in it. I've grown used to it and I no longer that much attention to them. I've seen this kids through 2 generations. Surprisingly, I still see the first batch of kids that I saw back then. They are around my age and are still walking around the streets. Though nowadays, they indulge in heavier drugs. It's quite shocking to me how their lungs are still holding up. I'm from the Philippines. I'm just curious. Is huffing paint or solvents prevalent outside of my country?
I've seen it all over here. My stepbrother couldn't keep his mouth off the lawnmower gas tank. That lasted for a year or two. I used to have neighbors who would sit outside with a glue stick shoved so far up their nose that they didn't even have to hold it in. This is in the south eastern US.
In my country people don't practice this, except for hobos. Children are usually into weed/cigarettes, and those who are above the age of 16 drink alcoholic drinks like Jager Meister, Finlandia or Vodka. They are rarely into other kind of drugs. I am from Romania.
I hear about it, but I've never seen it in practice. I think most people around here just go straight for weed, since it's such a huge cultural thing here. Alcohol as well, since it's not too difficult to get even underage if you know the right people.
I am from the Philippines too and I must say cases like these are very prevalent here. Kids and adults who are in the poverty line or below it use solvent to ease their hunger or pains. Since drugs are expensive, they resort to cheaper alternatives which are still dangerous to their health. They become high and almost always endanger not only themselves but also other people. They are involved in crimes while under the influence of these cheaper alternatives.
Addiction to solvents have been a big problem here in South Africa as well. It's also been going on for a number of decades and it's usually poor kids that are the victims. And it seems that they never get out of poverty, have seen the same faces hanging around street corners in a bad state. People are also reluctant to help them out, especially with money as they know that they'll just go spend it on glue or hard drugs.
@Damien Lee We also see a lot of street children addicted to solvents here. My husband always has a soft spot for kids and most of the time he wants to give them money. But then it's difficult to know if they will use the money for food or for their addiction. So, sometimes it is safer if we just give them bread or crackers. At least, we know that they will eat food unlike with giving them money where it either goes to syndicates or to solvents.
We live in the same country so, that is also a scene that I can sometimes see. Although it seems lesser now compared before in the areas here. Not just sure what is the case on the other areas.
Yes there are people in my country who do this also. I personally don't know anybody who sniffs paint. In the U.S there have been kids who do this. I think that this is a dangerous addiction, and it shouldn't be done. This is nothing new and I don't think your the only one who sees this stuff.