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Secure Health EAP Drug Free Workplace Newsletter
“Helping Individuals to Stay Drug Free”
May 2012
What’s so funny? Whip‐its are small canisters of nitrous oxide. Whip‐its are primarily used for cooking, baking, dental and surgical procedures and is often known as a “laughing gas,” or “sweet air,” but has recently gone mainstream as a recreational drug of choice for both teens and adults and is often referred to as “hippie crack and creamers.” The canisters can be bought online or in the kitchen supply aisle of stores. Balloons filled with the gas are often sold in the parking lots of concerts. Some just extract the gas out of cans of whipped cream. Once inhaled, the user will experience dizziness, lack of coordination, excessive laughing and slurred speech. Since the effect is so brief, users tend to inhale again and again, increasing their feelings of giddiness. When used for its unintended purposes whip‐its can be extremely dangerous. Some of the dangers associated with whip‐its are: 
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Brain damage Deprivation of oxygen to the brain, called hypoxia, which can cause many long‐term problems such as memory loss Seizures Death from suffocation Mixing whip‐its with other drugs or alcohol increases the risk of serious injury or death. Over 2.1 million Americans age 12 and older have abused inhalants such as whip‐its, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. A 2010 study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found that 8.1% of eighth‐graders had abused inhalants at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. Since whip‐its are relatively inexpensive, easily accessible and primarily legal, knowing what the canisters look like is important. Communication with your children and loved ones is also important especially if they are showing signs of risky behavior. If you or a dependent are struggling with substance abuse, please contact Secure Health EAP at (478) 314‐2450 to schedule a free, confidential appointment. You don’t have to suffer alone. Sources:
Examiner.com What are 'whip-its'? - National Phrases, Expressions & Sayings | Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/phrases-expressions-sayings-in-national/what-is-meant-whip-its#ixzz1sV5lnMfB
Urban Dictionary http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=whip-its
Abcnews.go.com http://abcnews.go.com/Health/whip-highs-big-dangers-demi-moore/story?id=15456104
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