Police in Prince George, B.C. say they've noticed a disturbing trend: desperate people resorting to stealing hairspray to get drunk.
RCMP say that one business in the city's downtown core has reported hundreds of bottles of stolen hairspray in recent months.
The metal containers have been found in vacant lots throughout the city, emptied through puncture holes made by nails. Mounties are also turning up empty containers for Listerine, Lysol, rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizer -- almost any cosmetic product containing alcohol.
"The reason for this sudden increase is unknown. What is known by police is that these products are inexpensive and available in dozens of locations around the city," Cpl. Craig Douglass said in a release.
Some stores have started moving the most popular booze alternatives behind the counter, and police say one business has removed all rubbing alcohol from its shelves.
Mounties say drinking any of these products can cause serious health problems, because they contain solvents and other dangerous chemicals that should not be swallowed.
