How does solvent abuse differ from other drugs?

One of the most distinctive factors about solvent abuse is that the products involved have legitimate everyday uses. In the average home, there are over 30 abusable products.

The age at which young people experiment with volatile substances is generally much younger than for controlled substances.

Possessing solvents, unlike some other drugs, isn’t illegal. However, it is an offence under the Cigarette Lighter Refill (Safety) Regulations 1999, to sell a cigarette lighter refill containing butane, to anyone under the age of 18 years. It is also an offence under the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985, to supply a product to a person under the age of 18 years knowing or suspecting that it is going to be abused.

Solvents, unlike some illegal drugs, aren’t in themselves physically addictive. However, the user may develop a psychological addiction to ’sniffing’ solvents in response to any underlying problems or worries.

DISCRETION MUST BE USED WHEN SHOWING INFORMATION TO YOUNG PEOPLE.  IT MAY BE A GOOD IDEA NOT TO SHOW YOUNG PEOPLE A LIST OF ABUSABLE PRODUCTS.

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