Deadly deodorant high
Grieving mum’s warning
THE mother of a Corio teen who died after inhaling deodorant is pleading with kids not to be pressured into the deadly practice.
Jessica Werner, mum of 14year-old Pheonix who died in 2016, is calling for a ban on the sale of deodorant to children under 18.
“If I was to see another child die from this it would devastate me,” Ms Werner said.
“There needs to be something done about this to point out that it is deadly.
“I don’t think it’s OK that kids can walk into a supermarket and buy five cans of Rexona and walk out.
“I don’t think they understand how dangerous it can be — it causes cardiac arrest.
“There’s no warning signs, people just stop breathing.”
Inhaling a large amount of deodorant could cause brain damage, aggression, shortterm memory loss and hallucinations, Barwon Health emergency department doctor Bruce Bartley said.
Those familiar with Pheonix’s death were stunned to hear more than 50 large deodorant cans were found empty in Officer Crt, Corio, this week.
Ms Werner said kids “huffing” deodorant were risking their lives for a cheap high.
“I never thought deodorant would kill my son,” she said.
“Pheonix wasn’t into drugs, it was purely experimental.
“It’s not a choice he made on his own.”
Ms Werner said she would never truly overcome the heartache of losing her son.
“He gave my life purpose and gave me a reason to live,” she said.
“It’s really hard; Christmas and other events are always going to be bittersweet. If (kids) want to be able to go home and don’t want their parents to experience the loss we have, they should not be using deodorant in this way. You can die from it. There is a huge risk.”
Dr Bartley said butane, the gas found in aerosol sprays, was the same gas found in lighter fluid.
“When someone inhales a deodorant with butane, fumes enter the bloodstream quickly and slow down brain activity,” Dr Bartley said.
“The effects can be instantly lethal, even from first-time use, due to suffocating and choking from vomit or throat swelling, especially when combined with alcohol and other drugs.”
Matt Poulter, who spotted the empty deodorant cans near Officer Crt, said he had seen other cans at Corio railway station in recent weeks.
“I just can’t believe the amount,” he said. “I saw so many cans (near Officer Crt) that I was expecting a body.
“We need to get people talking about this so they realise it’s life or death.”
I DON’T THINK THEY UNDERSTAND HOW DANGEROUS IT CAN BE — IT CAUSES CARDIAC ARREST. THERE’S NO WARNING SIGNS, PEOPLE JUST STOP BREATHING.
JESSICA WERNER