From the Board of Health

Information for Parents

Inhalant Abuse Training

www.inhalantabusetraining.org

This 20 minute online training provides parents and other adults with information on inhalant abuse: products that may be abused, product alternatives that are safer to use, and how to talk to youth of different ages about inhalants. It is designed for use by ADULTS ONLY.

Inhalant abuse is the deliberate breathing or sniffing of gases or vapors to get "high." Over 1000 common household products can be used as inhalants. Only 5% of parents believe their children have tried inhalants-but 20% of children have actually tried them. Inhalant abuse can cause death, even the first time. Inhalants can also cause weight loss, organ and brain damage, addiction and problems with judgment and long term memory.

This is an excellent training site for ADULTS ONLY to know the facts and help protect your children.

Meningococcal Disease

The State has a new law that students attending Massachusetts colleges need to be vaccinated for meningococcal. The increased demand for the vaccine has caused a shortage. This FAQ describes what Meningococcal Disease is and most importantly how the limited availability of the vaccine will impact the new MA school and colleges requirements for its vaccine.