Where you can get help (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Where you can get help

Solve It: A national charity with resources for advice, information, training, education and referral. Call 01536 420604 for confidential advice. Log on to www.solveitonline.co.uk or email enquiry@solveitonline.co.uk

Re-Solv: National charity aimed at preventing solvent abuse. It offers a helpline for worried parents, open Mon-Fri from 9am to 5pm. Tel: 01785 817885 (main number), 0808 800 2345 (helpline) or visit www.re-solv.org.uk

FRANK: Has information and advice for young people and parents on drugs, alcohol and solvent abuse. It also produces a booklet called The Score. There is a helpline on 0800 776600 and a website at www.talktofrank.com

The Amber Foundation: Offers support, counselling and detox for people aged 18-30 who have substance misuse problems. It is based at Tottenham House, Savernake Forest. Contact 01672 870331 during office hours, or email admin@amberfoundation.org

Druglink: Swindon-based service which offers advice, information, counselling and support. It is open Mon-Fri (excluding Tuesdays). Call 01793 616210 (main), 01793 610133 (helpline) or contact them via druglink.swindon@virgin.net

Parents Against Drugs and Solvent Abuse: Gives advice to parents from other parents who have experienced similar problems. Based in Warminster. Call 01985 214822 at any time (answerphone)

National Drugs Helpline: 0800 776600

Childline: 0800 1111

Department of Health also has a website at www.doh.gov.uk/drugs/ which includes useful information

Dire consequences

VOMITING and hallucinations are just two of the milder consequences of inhaling aerosol gas.

But death, the ultimate and sometimes instant consequence, can happen the very first time a curious youngster inhales the toxins contained in ordinary household products like deodorants, air freshener, lighter fuel, certain kinds of glue and cleaning fluids.

It can happen in different ways from the toxic effects of the gases which can stop the heart, from choking on vomit, from suffocation, or as a result of a user making a fatal mistake while they are "high". Other risks include brain, liver and kidney damage.

Often there are few symptoms of substance abuse in a teenager. The moods and aggression it causes can be put down to adolescent behaviour. Occasionally there is a rash around the mouth and sometimes there is a distinctive smell.

One of the problems faced by parents is the fact that the products sniffers favour are all entirely legal.

But there are rules governing the sale of butane gas, commonly used in cigarette lighter refills. Under the law it is an offence to sell it to under-18s.

The penalty is up to six months imprisonment. It is also illegal to sell gases, glues and aerosols to under-18s or to other people acting for them, if there is any suspicion that they will be used for abuse.