Media Information
1 Child In 8 Tries Inhaling Solvents Which Can Prove Fatal - BAMA Publishes Volatile Solvent Abuse Poster For School Staff Rooms
01/02/2008
One child in eight tries inhaling solvents, according to the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and other Drugs. By the time children enter secondary school they will know about drugs and solvents and may have even been introduced to them by their peers. What they won’t understand or believe about solvents is that they could die the very first time they try them. Volatile Substance Abuse (VSA) is one of the biggest killers of young people. In the 10 -16 year old age group, there are more deaths from solvent abuse than from illegal drugs (source - Department of Health Framework Strategy 2005). VSA runs right through society, it has no social or geographical boundaries. Typical abusers are teenagers but there have been deaths as young as seven.
Government and the professionals agree that the most effective way to deal with volatile substance abuse is an education programme that emphasises advice and counselling. BAMA, the British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association, has been working with Government and voluntary sector organisations such as Talk to Frank, Re-Solv and Solve-It for many years. The Association has recently produced an A3 Volatile Substance Abuse (VSA) full-colour poster which is targeted at adults who care for children with the aim that the information will be communicated to children and aid them in identifying the early signs of abuse.
The poster outlines; what solvent abuse is, the ignorance and the dangers and who experiments. It also gives details of related drugs charities where further information can be accessed. The A3 poster is distributed free of charge as is BAMA’s related A4-folded leaflet which gives more detailed information on the dangers of VSA and includes case studies. For free copies of the poster and or leaflet, e-mail enquiries@bama.co.uk. The VSA leaflet can also be downloaded from the BAMA website by visiting: http://www.bama.co.uk/
Aerosols are among many common household products subject to abuse. The aerosol industry takes this very seriously and BAMA has been actively involved in working with both the Government and solvent abuse charities to prevent VSA for many years.
The Trade Association has sponsored a number of educational initiatives, publications, videos, teaching aids and conferences for experts in the field. BAMA led on the voluntary ‘Solvent Abuse Can Kill Instantly’ (SACKI) warning and this now features on almost all UK aerosol products.
Sue Rogers, director of BAMA, says: “Like all consumer products, aerosols are safe when used properly. Abuse of many products, including aerosols, can be serious or fatal. We support the view of the Government and the professionals that the most effective way to deal with volatile substance abuse is an education programme that emphasises advice and counselling. The combined efforts of all those involved appear to have had an impact and the number of deaths have fallen from 3 a week in the early 1990s to around 1 a week now. We hope that this poster will provide a further tool for those who care for children in the on-going battle against VSA.”
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For further press information please contact:
Gill Shaffer/Jo Jacobius
Axiom Communications
020 8347 8206/07958 989124
e-mail: gill@axiom-uk.com or jo@axiom-uk.com
Website: http://www.bama.co.uk/
More Information:
Talk to Frank, The National Drugs Helpline: Telephone: 0800 776600, http://www.talktofrank.com/
Re-Solv: Telephone: 01785 817885, http://www.re-solv.org/
Solve-It: 24hr helpline: Telephone: 01536 510010, http://www.solveitonline.co.uk/