Butane abuse reaching worrying levels among teens in UAE, experts say

Butane abuse is reaching worrying levels among teenagers in the UAE, addiction experts said, days after two boys were severely burnt when the compressed gas they were inhaling caught fire.

Police said the boys, 14 and 16, were inhaling the gas while in a parked car in Sharjah with the windows closed when the compressed gas caught fire and caused an explosion.

Inhaling butane gas is a criminal offence in the UAE. Statistics from the Ministry of Interior showed that 60 people were arrested for inhaling lighter fluid in the past three years. Despite government initiatives to deter teenagers from its use, the abuse continues.

“The problem is that butane is cheap and easily available,” said Sami Hassan, director of media relations at Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehab.

“Using inhalants such as butane gas is not a new phenomenon in the UAE.

“Some people started getting addicted to butane gas dozens of years ago, but we have seen a resurgence in its use in recent years,” he said.

Dubai Police have previously suggested the sale of aerosol cans and lighter fluid should be regulated. But Mr Hassan said imposing restrictions would do little to curb butane abuse in the country.

“All supermarkets are selling this substance. Imposing restrictions on selling butane gas might create other problems, such as illegal lighter gas trade. For instance, some individuals will start selling butane gas bottles higher than its actual price,” Mr Hassan said.

He instead suggested education to reduce what he described as a worrying, highly risky trend.

“Education is key to addressing all addiction issues, including butane gas.

“Increasing awareness among children and teenagers about the consequences of inhaling lighter fluid is essential,” Mr Hassan said.

“One of the ways to address this problem is more health-education programmes in schools about the dangers of inhaling such substances.”

Inhaling butane gas can cause momentary euphoria, but repeated use can cause loss of consciousness, hallucinations, narcosis, asphyxia and cardiac arrhythmia.

Prolonged abuse can cause long-term health implications, such as kidney and liver damage, brain damage and seizures, and can even prove fatal.

“I have seen an individual suffering from butane- gas addiction. He lost a lot weight, suffered from hallucinations and shivering,” said Mr Hassan of a 19-year-old man who was treated at the Erada Centre.

Mr Hassan said the onus was also on parents to monitor their children and intervene if they suspect any abuse.

Dr Saliha Afridi, a clinical psychologist and managing director of The LightHouse Arabia, said addiction to butane gas is as severe as many other drugs.

“Unlike cigarettes and alcohol, teenagers have access to butane gas and can buy it easily,” she said.

“Adolescents will seek new adventures because the dopamine release in an adolescent’s brain is far more than in an adult’s brain.”

Dr Afridi said that peer pressure was among the reasons driving them to try the substance. “If some individuals in their social group consume butane gas, there is an increased risk of them trying it.”