Chris Luke: Children need a healthy fear of inhaling gases

Don't leave it up to grieving parents — it's up to all of us to show kids the consequences of 'huffing' or volatile substance abuse

Derrdre and Joe Mescall from Kilnamona, Co Clare, whose 14-year-old daughter Sarah Mescall died after inhaling an aerosol as part of a Tiktok challenge, leaving Dublin District Coroner's Court last October with Garda Luke Doyle of Crumlin Garda Station. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins

One of the most painful duties for a clinician in an emergency department is telling a parent that their beloved young son or daughter is dead. And I speak from bitter experience.

It’s hard enough when the death is due to a gradually overwhelming infection like meningococcal meningitis or an end-stage brain tumour. However, when it was caused by the can of deodorant that was sitting on the bathroom shelf that morning, the message can be a nightmare to deliver and — even more so — to receive.