Parents urged to talk to their children about dangers of solvents

Parents are being encouraged to talk to their children about the dangers associated with solvent misuse in a campaign launched today by the Health Promotion Agency.

More teenagers in Northern Ireland die from solvent misuse than from taking Ecstasy and cocaine yet parents here are either unaware of or complacent about the high risks associated with this behaviour. The campaign aims to remind parents about these risks and encourage them to talk to their children.

Rob Phipps, Senior Manager of Programme Development at the Health Promotion Agency, said: "We have carried out research with parents which indicated that the majority felt their child would not be foolish enough to misuse solvents. However a recent survey of 11 to 16 year olds showed that many young people do experiment with these products with more than one in six of those surveyed having tried solvents and almost 1 in 10 being current users.

"Parents appear to be more concerned about illegal drug use than solvent misuse. It is therefore important that we remind parents that solvent misuse is a real problem and there is a need to talk about the serious risks associated with it. "

The campaign includes television advertising as well as the distribution of a short guide for parents entitled Talking about solvents - A guide for parents. Schools are being supplied with copies of the guide and are being asked to send these home to parents of young people in primary six and seven and forms one, two and three in secondary schools.

Parents can also contact the National Drugs Helpline on 0800 77 66 00 for further information about solvents or to find out about local organisations where they can get help and support.

The campaign will run until the 4 March 2003.

END

Notes to the editor:
In 2001/2002 the Agency commissioned research to explore the needs and opinions of parents, professionals, retailers and Environmental Health Officers (who are responsible for enforcing relevant sales legislation) in relation to volatile substance abuse. This campaign and the publication of a guide for professionals have been developed as a result of recommendations made following the research.

This campaign has been funded through the Drugs and Alcohol Strategy.