Re-Solv has been campaigning to keep VSA at the forefront of the public agenda since 1984 and our focus now also includes other ‘legal highs’. Our advocacy work has included:
- In 2019, Re-Solv and Mentor UK commissioned the summary Report for the All Party Parliamentary Group on NPS and VSA from the Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University.
- In 2018, Re-Solv worked with the Advisory & Impact team at BWB to research and publish the first report into The Social Impact of Solvent Abuse.
- In 2017, the ONS agreed to re-examine the data on VSA mortality in Great Britain, resulting in the publication in 2018 of a new report, Deaths related to volatile substances and helium in Great Britain: 2001 to 2016 registrations.
- In 2016, the All Party Parliamentary Group on NPS and VSA formed, with Re-Solv and Mentor UK as joint secretariat.
- In 2014, Re-Solv contributed to the Education & Prevention sub group of the Home Office’s Expert Panel on New Psychoactive Substances.
- In 2013 Re-Solv met with the then Secretary of State for Health, Anna Soubry, who wrote to the Association of Convenience Stores to encourage them to raise the issue with over 1000 independent retailers. See Ms Soubry’s letter here.
- In 2012 Re-Solv was active in reconvening the All Party Parliamentary Group on VSA, chaired by David Hanson MP.
- In 2011 Re-Solv contributed to a new Framework on VSA published by the Welsh Assembly Government.
- Recognition of the need to address VSA within schools, supported by the 2007 distribution of Hazard Crew to every secondary school in England and, in 2012, the publication and distribution of Buzzin’ in Scotland.
- The implementation of the SACKI (Solvent Abuse Can Kill Instantly) warning on UK aerosol cans.
- The removal of toluene from all UK consumer products.
- The 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.
- The 1992 Public Health campaign that began a downward trend in VSA mortality.
