• VSA in Wales

Re-Solv - Wales
20A Berriew Street
Welshpool
Powys
SY21 7SQ

Tel/Fax: 01938 556790
Email: wales@re-solv.org

• Re-Solv's work in Wales

• Strategies and Policies

Re-Solv opened an office in Wales in 2004 as part of a three year grant from the Big Lottery. Since it began, the project has helped over:

• 500 organisations
• 300 parents
• 10,000 professionals
• 65,000 young people
• 50 Trading Standards Officers.

In July 2005, the 'Volatile Substance Abuse' campaign was launched. It was developed by North Wales Police, but was the result of collaboration between officers from all four police forces across Wales. The campaign was devised with the help of Re-Solv and bi-lingual versions of our 'Hazard Crew' posters and leaflets were produced and distributed.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration, Edwina Hart, said: "Volatile substance abuse kills more young people than illegal drugs combined and the rate of solvent abuse among 15 and 16 year olds in the UK is the highest in the European Union. This type of substance misuse is a particular problem among younger and more vulnerable children. Worryingly, for over a quarter of victims, their first experience of sniffing volatile substances proves fatal."

With support from the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales, in 2006 Re-Solv produced and distributed a bi-lingual version of our popular 'Cupboard' leaflet for parents. To continue to raise awareness of VSA, we have also held many campaigns in local supermarkets and youth buses.

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'Tackling Substance Misuse in Wales - A partnership approach.'

Published in April 2000, this strategy included volatile substances such as aerosol propellants, butane, solvents and glues and ran until 2008. Below is a list of the VSA references contained in the strategy:

• Objective - Children, Young People and Adults.
  • Reduce proportion of (a) people reporting use of... volatile substances in the last month and previous year. (Page 6)
• First there is a need to raise awareness of the effects of drugs, alcohol and other substances (...particularly volatile substances) which can be misused. (Page 15)
• ...A programme of action is outlined whose key tasks aslo comprise ways of reducing innapropriate access, particularly amongst children and young people, to... volatile substances. Legislation is in place to prevent the sale of... volatile substances to those under 18. (Page 25)
• Other objectives - increase the number of prosecutions for the sale of ... volatile substances to under 18 year olds. (Page 26)
• Key tasks - Raise awareness amongst those who sell ... volatile substances of the need to do so responsibly and to prevent children from unlawfully obtaining them. (Page 26)
• There was also evidence of experimentation, or in some instances repeated use, involving a wide range of substances but particularly nitrites, ... glues and solvents - Youth Health Survey, 1998. (Page 37)

'Working Together to Reduce Harm'

This is the Substance Misuse Strategy for Wales 2008-2018 and was published in January 2008. Much of the emphasis has been placed on alcohol.

• We want children and young people to acquire the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to make informed choices when they encounter illegal drugs and legal substances such as... volatile substances. (Page 21)
• Volatile substance abuse (VSA) remains a concern as it still causes more deaths among young people aged 10-16 than Class A and other illegeal drugs. Raising awareness of the hazards of volatile substances is catered for at both primary and secondary school level within the 'All Wales Schools Programme.' However, more needs to be done to reduce the availability and accessibility of volatile substances. We will identify local good practice in engaging communities in addressing VSA and enforcement action being taken with retailers linked to VSA incidents. (Page 42)

All Wales Police School Liaison Programme

This is as a joint initiative between the Police and Education services in Wales.

Programme Aims -

• To work towards achieving Crime and Disorder reduction within our young communities, through the medium of Education.
• To promote the principles of positive citizenship, in school and the wider community.

This provides a consistent Crime Prevention/Reduction messages across Wales and creates opportunities for the Police to have direct regular contact with all young people in schools.

The programme is composed of 3 themed spiral strands:

• Drugs & Substance Misuse
• Social Behaviour & Community
• Safety

Programme developments -

The programme has been updated and is based on the Welsh Personal and Social Education (PSE) Curriculum Framework 2008. It is a spiral scheme of work, which develops a theme in accord to the pupil’s level of development, from Key Stage 1 to 4 (age 5 to 16).

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