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Tackling volatile substance abuse in Scotland
a training course for the social care workforce

Course content: Intervention & referral

Referral

You may feel that it is appropriate to refer the individual to other agencies for help. However, it is not always easy to identify relevant professionals who are skilled and comfortable working with people with solvent problems.

This process should be done with care and you should be aware of your reasons for referral. Referral doesn't necessarily mean that you pass all responsibility to other services. You may look at referring an aspect of the individual's behaviour. If you are thinking about a referral the individual needs to be a part of the process, you should also be aware of boundaries set within your own and any other organisation's confidentiality policy.

You should remember that:

There are seldom agencies that have a specific concern for VSA and it may be that you can find few local professionals who have the expertise and confidence to address the issue. It may be that a case conference will be required to examine the range of local possibilities.

The purpose of counselling

The aim of counselling is generally to raise the awareness of the individual to the process of change and help them to prepare consciously to move forward and picture the desired change.

Counselling is likely to explore some of the following:

Reducing the risk

“What do you know about solvents and how people use them?”

  • “They are illegal”
  • “They can kill you”
  • “They are gas, markers, nail-varnish, Tippex, glue, hairspray, deoderants”
  • “Gas is just sprayed in the mouth”
  • “They get you high”
  • “They make you feel more confident”
  • “You have a laugh on them”

Quotes from young people in a consultation exercise by Re-Solv fieldworker in Scotland.

NB. Some of these views are incorrect.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs ACMD report on Volatile Substance Abuse recommended the unambiguous message that ‘VSA is too dangerous, don‘t do it.’

The report also recognises that for some people no advice is likely to encourage them to stop their use immediately. It may be appropriate in special and individual circumstances to give information that helps the user avoid the worst consequences, for example if the user is working towards intermediate goals before they stop using altogether.

It should be remembered that there is no such thing as safe sniffing and many deaths occur from direct toxic effects that are not associated with any of the following risks.

There are exceptional hazards from:

Some workers have recommended that young sniffers should use glues rather than gases. There is no scientific basis to judge what the relative risks are for each product. There are also risks that are specific to each product and so it may be that for some circumstances, changing the product could increase risk.

“Is it safe to use solvents?”

  • “Sometimes, if you know what you’re doing”
  • “It’s never safe, there’s always a risk of death”
  • “It’s safer if you sniff in a crowd”

Quotes from young people in a consultation exercise by Re-Solv fieldworker in Scotland.

NB. Some of these views are incorrect.

Many young people change their substance use when they come to better understand the possible harm to themselves or others. Most young people who misuse are unaware of the dangers and facts about solvents, so providing information about the risks is useful in itself.

Young people who have discovered 'sniffing' also need to know that they have the security around them to make changes. A friend or supportive adult to confide in could be of benefit in talking about feelings of pain, sadness, anger and depression. It is also important that you talk to them about what is going on, and your concerns, and reassure them about what help you can offer. Any situation where information to reduce the risk is given is complex and it is important therefore that there are appropriate training and supervision procedures. There can be a heavy burden for professionals, as even if the individual does accept the above information, until they stop using they will still be participating in a life threatening activity.

The local community

If a young person has tried using solvents with his or her friends, it is quite probable that the problem will not be limited to this group. It may be appropriate to inform the wider community of a potential problem. There may possibly be confidentiality issues, and you should consult your own confidentiality policies. A checklist of who to consider informing may include trading standards, police, medical services, education and parents, depending on the discovered facts about local use.

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