Young aerosol sniffers at risk

A WAGGA mother is deeply concerned that sniffing the potentially deadly fumes from deodorant cans is emerging as the new way for the city's teenagers to get high.After witnessing a group of teenagers inhaling fumes from a can of men's deodorant for an apparent rush, Tarnia Havenstein is urging parents to reach out to their children.Only days ago she was distressed and saddened at the sight of a group of three teenagers sharing a blanket-covered aerosol can to sniff the dangerous fumes.Ms Havenstein said the disturbing incident occurred in broad daylight in the car park of a major shopping centre in Wagga's CBD."These kids would have been lucky to be 15, probably between 13 and 15," she said."I could not believe it when the boy pulled out a pink towel, draped it over a can of deodorant and proceeded to inhale the fumes."He had to keep spitting, I assumed from the taste, but he kept doing it over and over again."Then he shared it with the other two and they all started to laugh and wobble around all over the place."I had no idea this was going on, I never thought this was something kids did."there must be so many parents that have no idea this happens or that their kids could be doing something so dangerous."Ms Havenstein yesterday called for all parents to find out how their children spend their free time, and have an awareness this behaviour is occuring.PCYC police youth case manager Senior Constable Colin Jacobs yesterday urged people who witnessed children taking part in this behaviour to contact police."This is not a new behaviour, nor is it widespread in Wagga, but it is an at risk behaviour," he said."If anyone sees this occuring they should definitely ring the police."