Street boys get 'high' inhaling Resistol, an addictive toluene based shoe and leather adhesive from...

The prevalent drug used by street children in San Pedro Sula, Honduras in 1992 was Resistol, a toluene based sweet smelling adhesive used in the manufacture and repair of shoes and leather goods, manufactured by H. B. Fuller in the USA. The 'high' induced by inhaling or sniffing the toluene vapour from the glue gives a short term fix, helping them cope with hunger, loneliness, fear and despair from living on the streets. However, toluene is a neurotoxin which leads to irreversible nerve damage, loss of brain function, dysfunctional kidneys and liver and the ability to see and hear.