Helping Sniffers

There are many ways to help young people who are misusing volatile substances; different professionals and non-professionals all have a contribution to make. For example-

  • Teachers can help by providing drug education that includes volatile substances, so that all young people know the dangers of VSA
  • Youth workers also have an educational role. In addition, they can provide activities that give ‘highs without chemicals’, which may help young sniffers to find alternative activities
  • Social workers often work with difficult young people and their families. They can sometimes assist the family in coping with a young sniffer and help everyone to work together to address not only the sniffing behaviour, but other problems that are linked to it.

The Solvent Misuse Project at the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) has put together three volumes of examples of professional practice. Two of these are out of print, but they can be accessed on this site. GO TO THE NCB PUBLICATIONS.

Other articles on professional practice

Maggie Jackson conducted a thoughtful project with some sniffers in Leeds: Dialogue and change with a group of long-term sniffers.

Peter Farley has written about the role of religion in helping sniffers: As High as the Heavens

Success with glue sniffers is an account of work in Oldham which helped the sniffers and the local community to live together.

 

Group work with long-term solvent abusers is an account of a project working with chronic users of volatile substances on the Mozart Estate in London

 

A behavioural approach for decreasing solvent abuse describes a way of thinking about volatile substance abuse which can help professional workers to consider possibilities for intervention that they may not have thought about.