• Introduction
• Achievements
• Projects & Services
• Annual Report & Accounts

Re-Solv was founded in 1984 by Barrie Liss OBE JP, and is the longest serving national charity solely dedicated to the prevention of solvent and volatile substance abuse (VSA). As a Director of Evode, Mr Liss was concerned about the problem of solvent abuse and determined to do something about it.

Twenty five years later, Re-Solv is still campaigning for:

• Prevention of solvent and volatile substance abuse to be placed high on the national and international agenda.
• Clear educational messages to ensure that products are used for their intended purpose.
• Better services and provisions for those involved, especially young people and children.

Prevention of VSA is an ongoing problem, but one which Re-Solv is confident can be reduced by addressing the awareness and education needs of the community. Re-Solv's main objective is to change the perception that some young people have that the chemicals found in these everyday domestic products can be used as safe, legal, substitute drugs. We do this through research, dissemination of educational materials, training and community projects.

• 1984 - Re-Solv is established.
• 1984 - 1987 - Various factsheets, leaflets and booklets are produced. Re-Solv campaigns for awareness of VSA and the need for preventative education.
• 1987
  • Produced a video with BMTV for Doctors, Police and Community Workers.
  • Produced a video with Co-operative movement and DTI for Retail Staff training.
  • "Don't Let Them Have It!" campaign for retailers is launched.
• 1988
  • Appointment of first Liaison Officer for Scotland.
  • Over 1,000 "Don't let them have it!" videos sold.
  • The video "Solvent Abuse - What Parents Should Know" is produced.
  • Retail Training Manual is produced.
• 1989
  • Parents' video and booklets: "A Bombshell?" is produced.
  • Re-Solv worked closely with Government Depts, one remarked "If Re-Solv didn't exist it would have to be invented because it was doing much of the work that would otherwise have to be done by government."
  • Appointment of first paid full-time Director, David Hanson (now the Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice.)
• 1990
  • Two new Liaison Officers appointed - Scotland and the North West of England.
  • Issued the only national directory of solvent abuse help agencies.
  • New "Chicken!" video for 11-14 year old school children is released.
  • Published "Dealing with solvent misuse" with TACADE.
  • Distribution of parent's video "a Bombshell?"
  • Help Irish government to launch its anti-solvent abuse campaign.
• 1991
  • Parliamentary All-Party Group on VSA formed, Re-Solv is the Secretariat.
    
• 1992
  • Leaflets for parents produced in Welsh and 3 Asian languages.
  • Liaison by Re-Solv with MPs and Euro MPs.
  • A government sponsored intensive press and TV campaign is helped by pressure and consultancy from Re-Solv.
    
• 1993
  • Retail training videos distributed to all 302 Trading Standards Offices throughout the country.
  • 200,000 training booklets distributed to retailers.
  • Produced the text for the Dept of Health leaflet "Solvent Abuse - A Parents' Guide". Over 1 million were distributed.
  • More than 1,500 "Chicken" videos, suitable for 11-14 year olds were distributed.
  • More then 7,400 "Skills for the Primary School Child" packs were distributed. 25% of primary schools are using the pack.
  • Liaison Officers ran 436 group training sessions and 896 individual consultations for professionals.
  • New Liaison Officer appointed for Wales.
    
• 1994
  • The approach pioneered by Re-Solv is being studied by other countries.
  • Solvent abuse discussed with many international agencies - Includes sponsored visits to USA, Germany and Slovak Republic.
  • Held an exhibition in October 1994 at the House of Commons. Generated awareness and support for Re-Solv's strategy.
    
• 1995
  • Re-Solv participated in the World Health Organisation conference on Street Children worldwide who abuse solvents.
  • Campaigned for a Code of Practice recommending a ban on the sale of butane gas lighter refills to under 16s.
• 1996
  • New "Free to be….." pack for 12-16 year-olds is launched at BBC's Big Bash. So successful that Lottery funds secured to reprint 100,000 copies for deprived areas. Many events were staged to launch it and there was enormous support from MPs.
  • Produced a resource pack for teachers and youth workers.
    
• 1997
  • Pilot distribution of child-friendly packs in London, Wales and West Midlands.
  • 150,000 children reached with the "Free to be….." pack.
• 1998
  • "Safe is Sound" video launched for 11-16 year olds and 1,000 copies were distributed to schools and youth groups.
  • New Teachers Information Booklet sent to 16,000 teachers.
  • Continued campaigning for strengthening of legislation, especially regarding butane lighter refills.
    
• 1999
  • Amendment to Section 11(1) (b) of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 makes it illegal to sell butane gas lighter refills to under 18s. Comes into force on October 1st 1999.
  • Re-Solv assisted in the opening, and funding, of Scottish Parents' Support Group helpline - Truly Imaginative Solutions.
  • Re-Solv's website www.re-solv.org launched on the internet.
  • Re-Solv worked closely with Swedish Match to produce the "A Loaded Gun" video, launched on Oct. 7th 1999.
    
• 2000
  • National Freephone Helpline launched in April.
  • Health Education Authority and Re-Solv produced leaflets for retailers and launched a campaign across the UK.
  • New factsheet produced for police officers with support from the Association of Chief Police Officers.
  • Northern Ireland office opened.
• 2001
  • Appointed a National Youth Liaison Officer.
  • Interactive training on the website developed with help from Keele University, and funding from PPP Medical Healthcare Trust. International support received from Western Australia and America.
  • 1,500 copies of the "Loaded Gun" video are distributed to retailers to reinforce the message of the Butane Gas Cigarette Lighter (safety) Regulations 1999.
    
• 2002
  • Re-Solv receives a major visit from Australian parliamentarians.
  • Director spoke to conference delegates in USA about the history and work of the Society.
  • Relationship with Russian voluntary organisation NAN (say No to alcohol and Drugs!) was developed via visits and the setting up of a joint training programme.
  • Appointment of a Northern Ireland Field Worker.
  • The "Loaded Gun" video and Teacher's Pack are distributed to every secondary school in the UK.
  • Office in Scotland opened.
• 2003
  • Develop a Social Services Training Pack for social workers in England, funded by the Department of Health.
  • Consulted with by the Department for Education and Skills for the pre-consultation stage of their "Drugs Guidance in Schools" publication. Resulted in the correct guidance highlighting VSA.
  • Re-Solv worked in partnership with key partners such as The Scottish Executive, Fife Council's Trading Standards Department and the Scottish Drugs Forum, to produce materials aimed at raising awareness among shop staff in Fife of the law around the sale of butane gas lighter refills to children.
  • The Scottish Executive's "Know the Score" campaign aimed at drugs awareness is adjusted to include solvent abuse awareness material - a booklet called 'Know the Score - Volatile Substance Abuse' is produced based on information provided by Re-Solv.
• 2004
  • Hold a seminar in Jersey.
  • The "Hazard Crew" range of resources for 11-14 year olds, designed with the support of Aardman Animations, is officially launched at the Hard Rock Café. The pack is distributed to all secondary schools in the UK.
  • Office in Wales is opened.
  • Website is redesigned and the online training updated, including an interactive module. Funded by the British Aerosol Manufacturers' Association.
• 2005
  • Bilingual "Hazard Crew" leaflet and poster produced and distributed in Wales, supported by all four Police Divisions and the Welsh Assembly Government.
  • Re-Solv's National Youth Liaison Officer makes a presentation at the International Youth Solvent Addictions Conference in Canada.
  • A 'blog' is introduced to the website featuring all the latest VSA news.
• 2006
  • North East of England office is opened, funded by the Northern Rock Foundation.
  • Bilingual version of the "Cupboard Leaflet" for parents is produced and distributed in Wales.
• 2007
  • "Youth Workers Activities Pack" is produced.
  • Produced the "Aqua Card" aimed at young people aged 15+. The resource proves to be very popular.
  • The "Silent Killer" DVD is launched documenting Nicollette Nicolle's campaign to stamp out petrol sniffing following the death of her son in 2005. Funded by the Lloyds TSB Foundation.
  • Launched the "Social Work Pack" - a training programme for social work staff in Scotland.
• 2008
  • The "Toxic Agents" Primary School Pack and website is produced. Characters are designed with the help of Helen Javes of "Shaun the Sheep."
  • New "Hazard Crew" website and Teacher's Information Book produced.
  • The "About…" range of leaflets is developed, including information on Nitrous Oxide, petrol, legislation, etc.

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