Solvent abuse – talk about it

Issued by NHS Highland

The Highlands Youth Action Service (YAS) is currently running a campaign to raise awareness of Volatile Substance Misuse, also known as solvent abuse and glue sniffing.

School-children are made aware of the risks at regular intervals throughout both their primary and secondary school education; however some still continue to misuse solvents, more commonly known as “buzzing”, which can be extremely damaging to health and can even cause death.

Steve James, Health Improvement Coordinator with the Youth Action Service explained that their aim is to change the perception of what solvent abuse is and get people talking about it.

He said: “What we are finding is that many people think solvent abuse is a thing of the past and doesn’t happen any more. That is not true. If anything figures have actually increased.

“The most abused products tend to be lighter gas but more commonly aerosol cans and in particular deodorants. These items can be found in every home or that can be bought from most shops with no one questioning why. They are legal but they can be lethal.

“They are very easy for children and young people to get hold of yet present a greater risk of death than alcohol and most illegal drugs. More young people die each year from solvent misuse than all illegal substances combined.”

Mr James explained that YAS, on behalf of both Caithness and Sutherland Drug and Alcohol Forums and working in partnership with Re-Solv Scotland and Highland Council Trading Standards, are making a concentrated effort to raise awareness, not just amongst young people but also with parents and with retailers.

He said: “There is a proven link that when parents talk to their children about substances, including solvents then they are significantly less likely to experiment with those substances as they get older.

“It is not illegal to abuse these products yet death can occur on the very first episode or the hundredth. There is no way to predict who or when.”

Marina Clayton, Development Manager for Re-Solv Scotland, said: “Children are taught to cross a road safely, not to play with matches and not to talk to strangers. We need to talk to our children about this, to bring this hidden problem out into the open so they are aware of the risks involved and know where they can go to for any advice or support.”

For more information on solvent abuse please visit www.re-solv.org or call the helpline on 01785 810762 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

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