MAY 1976

HIGH GEAR

Page 19

CELEBRATE SPRING

at the

INTERNATIONAL

MERIC

NAME

THAT

TUNE

with

Tommy

DISCO

played by Dennis

Cox

༡༩།།

سان اسان سان است

bandana

nite 25¢

off

CORNER DRUG STORE

By David Holleb

Question: What can you tell me about "poppers," or those bottles of locker room aromas? Answer: "Poppers" and various brands of locker room aromas are of a class of drugs. called nitrites. They are volatile, flammable liquids. The term "poppers" comes from one form of nitrite in a cloth covered glass ampule that's popped open and sniffed. "Locker room aromas" come in small jars of liquid. The nitrites that are frequently used are amyl and butyl nitrite.

What they do, when sniffed through the nose, is to dilate or expand the blood vessels throughout the body by relaxing what are called the smooth. muscles. This effect causes the blood pressure to drop and this is why nitrites are used medically for relief of angina pectoris which is a condition that is caused by a cramping, pain sensation in the heart from lack of oxygen to the heart muscles.

Nitrites, when sniffed, take effect within thirty seconds and last 3 to 5 minutes. Nitrites also produce a flushing of the heart. and neck due to an increase of blood flow to these areas.

As far as side effects go, nitrites can increase pressure in the eyes and head; so people with glaucoma,, hemorrhages, heart problems or high blood pressure should avoid using poppers. It is possible for someone to have an adverse reaction of dizziness, weakness, headaches, nausea. cold sweat.

rapid heart beat, or collapse, particularly if they're standing up and immobile.

If someone is feeling sick or faint after sniffing "aromas," help them into a position where the head is down, such as sitting and placing the head between the legs, Urge them to breathe deeply and have them move their arms and legs around.

Frequent use or high doses are not recommended as the adverse reactions are more common. Tolerance to the effect develops with repeated use of prolonged periods. One other reaction to high doses is a condition called methemoglobinemia, which means the blood cens are reduced in their capacity to carry oxygen, which can result in very toxic effects, particularly in people who have anemia.

While I can't tell you what to do, please be careful if you are using nitrites, poppers, or "aromas." Educate yourself as to the above information, and let's try to raise the consciousness of our fellow gay brothers and sisters as to drugs, mental health, and physical health. See your doctor or go to a clinic for a check-up, whether you're using nitrites or not, to make sure your heart is in good condition and blood pressure is normal.

If you can't confront your doctor honestly about your "gay" health problems, call the Switchboard-Hotline at 696-5330 in the evenings for a referral. By the way, keep "poppers" and other drugs out of the reach of children. Severe poisoning and death can result from accidental overdose by a child. Peace and Health..

AKREN

RA

BRING A FRIEND OR MAKE A FRIEND

DAVID'S JUICE SHOP 136 N. UNION, LIMA

PRIVATE

DISCO

DISCRETE

SHOWS

BUFFET ON SUNDAY

Open Tues.-Thurs. 9 pm 3 am

Fri.Sun. 9 pm 4 am (419) 223-8458