PARENTS in Dublin 15 are being warned that child and teenage solvent abuse in the area could be on the increase.
A number of community representatives have reported finding empty aerosol cans in areas where young people gather and fear they may be harming themselves through the use of glues, gases and aerosols.
The warning came at a recent meeting of Blanchardstown Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force (BLDATF), during which it was highlighted that many of the abused solvents are normal household products, easily accessible from the home.
Solvents are a diverse group of substances whose chemical vapours can be inhaled to produce psychoactive or mind-altering effects.
BLDATF say an unpublished report by the Irish National Drug Related Deaths Index showed 30 solvent related deaths between 1998 and 2005.
Volatile substances implicated in the deaths included Butane, propane, antiperspirant, lighter fluid, glue, industrial solvent, Freon, helium and aerosol spray.
BLDATF say many parents don’t think of these products as drugs, yet, young children and adolescents can easily obtain these toxic substances and are among those most likely to abuse them.
Pharmacist, Edward MacManus, who is chair of BLDTAF said:
“As a Local Drug Task Force we have a duty to warn parents and carers of the dangers attached to solvent use and that use of solvents can lead to death even from first time use.
“We don’t want to see any further deaths due to solvent use in Blanchardstown or any other area. There is help available for those concerned about their own or others solvent use by contacting BLDATF on 01-8249590.
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