NCJ Number
227590
Date Published
September 2002
Length
692 pages
Annotation
This report presents the results of the Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee's inquiry on the nature, prevalence, and recommendations for strategic responses to the inhalation of volatile substances for the purpose of intoxication.
Abstract
Volatile substances produce chemical vapors that can be inhaled to induce a psychoactive or mind-altering effect. The term 'inhalants' is used to describe volatile substances. Volatile substance abuse is the deliberate inhalation of a gas, or of fumes released from a substance at room temperature, for the purpose of intoxication. Volatile substance abuse is not a new phenomenon, but as this report makes clear, it is a most under-researched one. In April of 2001, the Governor in Council referred the inhalation of volatile substances and related issues to the Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee and required the Committee to inquire into and report to Parliament on the issue of inhalation of volatile substances for the purpose of intoxication. The Committee was requested to examine factors contributing to the inhalation of volatile substances, review the adequacy of existing strategies for dealing with the inhalation of volatile substances, consider best practice strategies to address the issue of inhalation of volatile substances, and consider options to reduce the incidence of inhalation of volatile substances and identify factors in order to prevent first-time inhalation of volatile substances. After detailing the principles underlying the recommendations of the Committee, specific recommendations included a national response, State intervention, law related recommendations, supply reduction, and research and evaluation. Recommendations throughout the report explain the background to and justification for each of the recommendations. Through the publication of this report and the adoption of its recommendations, it is hoped that those in the frontline of volatile substance abuse, such as teachers, parents, police, and the children themselves will be given the support to address and combat this problematic substance abuse issue. Tables, figures, appendixes 1-28, and bibliography