Solvent Abuse

The stats...

In 2004 there were 47 deaths recorded in the UK from solvent misuse; 13 of these were among under 18 year olds.
Volatile Substance Abuse (VSA) is still responsible for more deaths among 10-16 in England and Wales than illegal drugs. The effects of VSA on the body can be unpredictable, severe and sudden. Sudden heart failure is the most common cause of death.
Solvent misuse continues to be more common among males than females. In 2004 there were over four times as many male as female deaths overall, but in the under-18 year olds, this ratio fell to just over two to one.
The most common substance used is butane cigarette lighter refills, the sale of which to under-18s is prohibited by legislation.
In 2004 for the UK, among those aged 10-15 years there were eight deaths associated with solvent misuse compared with three deaths from drug misuse.
The rates of young people misusing solvents has remained fairly stable over the last few years, with minor variations according to ‘fashion’ trends in drug use.
(Latest 2004 figures published in St George’s Hospital Medical School’s annual report)
8 young people across the county received treatment services for solvent use (KCA treatment services, 2006/7 Kent Drug and Alcohol Action Team Audit)

Patterns of Use

After cannabis, VSA is the most common form of substance misuse among school-aged children and teenagers.
The latest Department of Health survey found that in 2004, 11% of 11-15 year olds had taken cannabis in the last year, and 6% had misused solvents; among 11 and 12 year olds, solvent misuse outstripped cannabis use
Volatile substances are often one of the first drugs young people try, as they are relatively easy to access. Older users often mix them with harder drugs to enhance the effects.
(from Volatile Substance Abuse Today: A Qualitative Study 2005)

Find Out More

Further information about solvent use is available from the Re-solv website, a website dedicated to solvent misuse issues. There is a young person’s website too. There are free factsheets available to download, and a large variety of materials for a variety of audiences and age groups, all on sale at reasonable prices.

You can also Talk to Frank.