Ally Langdon couldn’t hold back tears while speaking with Andrea and Paul Haynes, who had to make the devastating decision to end the life of their 13-year-old daughter, Esra. Langdon, a mother herself, struggled with the grief of learning Esra had died from chroming, a dangerous trend involving inhaling chemicals for a high.

Esra, an athlete who co-captained the Montrose Football Netball Club, attended a sleepover on March 31. Seeking a high, she sniffed spray deodorant, leading to cardiac arrest and irreversible brain damage. “It was just the regular routine of going to hang out with her mates,” Andrea said. Paul added, “We always knew where she was and who she was with. To get this phone call…was one of the calls no parent ever wants to receive.”

Esra’s friends thought she was having a panic attack, but her body was shutting down. Rushed to the hospital, Esra was put on life support. After eight days, her parents faced the agonizing decision to turn off the machine.

Since Esra’s death in early April, the family has been “broken.” Paul and Andrea now aim to educate others about chroming’s dangers, emphasizing the importance of parents discussing these risks with their children. “We need to ramp it up and let these kids find out the information first-hand, not through friends or social media,” Paul said.

Chroming can cause seizures, heart attack, asphyxia, and more, appealing to youth for its fleeting high. Paul and Andrea hope to prevent further tragedies by raising awareness.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Esra’s family and friends. Please SHARE this story to educate others on the dangers of chroming.