Huffing nitrous oxide has become increasingly popular amongst teens and young adults. It is being sold disguised as whipped cream chargers. It induces a high of euphoria and a hallucinogenic state when inhaled.
“It’s a temporary high they get kind of similar to inhaling other kinds of chemicals that are short lived.”, Said Mrs. Botton, a 12th grade English teacher and Drug Free Youth Club Advisor. “[Inhaling the gas it] goes to your brain and then that causes a response,” Button shared. Since the gas is essentially blocking oxygen to the brain, most of the long term effects are cognitive impairments such as memory loss, psychosis, paraesthesia (sensations of tingling on skin with no cause), and death.
For anyone struggling with any type of addiction, Golden Valley High School has many resources. Golden Valley High School has counselors available, the GROWL center (Grizzly’s Room Of Wellness and Livelihood), and a crisis text line (text HOME to 741741).
“[The Drug Free Youth Club] brings in speakers from all walks of life to address their former addictions that they’ve had or to address mental health and they talk about what they went through the horrible road that they went down [and] how life is now in sobriety.”, Botton shares. In addition, “We also provide outside of school activities for people to join others in society.”
Action Drug Rehab is an outpatient rehab that helps individuals transition back into a healthy lifestyle. A Light Of Hope and Clear Behavioral Health (formerly Insight Treatment) are other resources, but these two also treat mental health. A Light of Hope is a free support group for anyone struggling with substance, self harm, or mental health. Clear Behavioral Health provides inpatient and outpatient for mental health and addiction treatment.