We were shown a video about the danger of inhalants - specifically the dangers to children who are harming themselves for the sake of a cheap high. Much of the video was a young man who was a user, talking about the different techniques he would use to sneak huffs. Fascinating and sad.

Now, how does this apply to modeling? In the video a counselor talked to kids about the chemicals used, and what kind of damage they could do. One of the chemicals mentioned was tolulene - an ingredient of plastic glues. The counselor spoke to the kids about the proper use of the different chems, and safe ways to use them. It then showed the room of kids building models, the counselor explaining what to do. Off camera, he spoke about the accomplishments of these kids, building something using a chemical that could kill them if misused. The idea was these kids were empowered by the control they showed over these chemicals, rather than being overpowered by it.
Interesting approach to a serious problem.

By the way, I always hated and was offended by the Gordy Dutt magazine title "Model Builders and Glue Sniffers" Jeez, how insensitive could you get?

I was kind of put off by that title, too. It seemed to re-inforce a stereotype that all model builders were only in the hobby for the purpose of getting high.

Personally, I've never understood the attraction for inhaling, drug abuse, smoking, drinking, or any other activity that could cause irreparable harm to body or mind. I don't practice any of them.

- GJS

Amen! It's a high whose popularity is on the upswing, hard to believe but oh so true. And kids die. And have been for years.

In a semi-related, there's the flick "Love, Liza" w/Philip Seymour Hoffman, addressing the issue of gasoline huffing. Sad, sad movie.

I deeply relate to these issues for reasons many of you may know or remember or maybe forgot. What was I talking about?

NEver forget the night JBGroby and I got a lesson in inhalants. We were airbrushing Floauil lacquer paints, thinned with acetone in his shed. With the doors closed. And no respirators.

Needless to say, we are both about 8-10 IQ points lower today than we were before that night!

well the damage to our lungs and livers that the solvents that our hobby employs is no joke. many of the materiels are carcinogens as well. this goes doubly for folks using resin and other materiels used in producing gk.

ibve gotten a lot more safty conscious lately, but old habits die hard. im hoping my negligence dioesnt cause me to do likewise....

A better safety film is:

Supersize Me. See if you can eat a McDonalds french fry after that. Go ahead, just one...

I much prefer to abuse caffiene than inhalants.