Several arrested in Siloam for inhaling canned air
Posted on Monday, July 31, 2006
SILOAM SPRINGS - Seven Siloam Springs teenagers found themselves in jail on Independence Day after being arrested on charges of inhaling toxic substances at Bob Henry Park.
The toxic substances recovered in the incident were compressed air bottles that were made to clean things such as computer keyboards. Instead, they were being used to induce a high, said Brenda Balk, public information officer of Siloam Springs Police Department.
A bottle of sinus medication also was recovered.
Tyler Mathews, 18, of 18048 Garman Rd., in Siloam Springs was arrested July 4 on the unclassified misdemeanor charge, Balk said. Six other 14-, 15- and 16-year-olds were also arrested on the same charge relating to the incident. One teen was from West Siloam Springs, Okla.
"We had a busier Fourth of July than the last two years," Balk said.
The public information officer said parents should know that inhaling "canned air"can be lethal, although it can give its user a high. Compressed air is sold in retail stores.
The over-the-counter sinus medication, Mucinex DM, likely was taken to obtain a high as well, she said.
The method of taking this is often called "skittling"because the drugs resemble the candy Skittles but can be equally as dangerous because of an overdose, she said.
The drug Dextromethorphan is a common ingredient in many over-the-counter cough medications such as Robitussin DM and Coricidin HBP and can be taken for its hallucinogenic and disorienting effects. Taking Robitussin DM for its high is called Robo-tripping, according to an October 2003 article in Greater Milwaukee Today.
The seven teens who were arrested July 4 were not injured or taken to the hospital, Balk said.
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