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Publications about Volatile Substance
Abuse
There are many things that you can do to help children and young people
learn about the effects and the dangers of volatile substances, and there
are publications to enable you to do this.
For more detailed information on vsa prevalence you can consult a recent
(1999) publication from the Health Education Authority. Volatile Substance
Abuse by Richard Ives is available from Marston Book Services, PO Box
269, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4YN (telephone 01235 465 565). This 80 page,
A4 book costs £15-00. The ISBN is 0 7521 1606 1.
Publications for VSA
education in schools
In the UK, there are several educational packs that focus specifically
on VSA. These and other publications are listed in the table.
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Publication Details
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What it is
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Ives, R. & Wyvill, B. (1994) Solvents, Drugs
and young people. Cambridge: Folens. Cost: £29.95
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A photocopiable resource pack, designed for use
by teachers and other educators who want to help their learners
explore the nature of drug use, in particular VSA - and the reasons
for it. This ring binder Pack contains a number of exercises suitable
for Key Stage 2 and 3, although it was written some time ago and
is now a bit out of date.
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Buczkiewicz, M. (1997) Substance
and Solution: Skills for the Primary School Child: Part Four.
Cost: £38. Tacade
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Addresses VSA within the context of a broad approach
to drug education. Aims to be a complete programme for primary school
(KS2) children, their teachers, their parents and the communities
in which they live. Relevant documents are provided for users in
Scotland.
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Ives R and Wyvill B (1999, forthcoming) Volatile
Issues Manchester: Tacade. Cost not known
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A pack specifically addressing VSA within the context
of Tacade’s Skills for Life Approach. Designed for KS3. Addresses
VSA within the context of a broad approach to drug education
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(1991) Sniffing glue and other solvents.
London: Release.
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Information pamphlet covering effects,
dangers and the legal position regarding VSA. Also gives advice
relating to emergency situations and contact with other agencies.
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(1998) Free to be: Safe, Healthy and Happy.
Staffordshire: Re-Solv. Cost: £30
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Contains a video and booklet for teachers working
with 11- to 16-year-olds. Addresses VSA as a product safety issue.
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Ghelani, P (1999) Volatile Substance Abuse.
Drug Education Matters, Factsheet 3. London: National Children’s
Bureau.
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Focuses on VSA from a drug education perspective.
Provides information about drug education policy documents which
cover VSA, provides guidance about responding to VSA-related incidents
at school and lists the resources available.
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Publications for informal
education
The youth service is a good place to provide drug education – some young
people are more likely to listen to drug prevention messages from staff
that they don’t associate with school, and often the youth service is
working with young people who may be more disaffected than others and
perhaps more at risk of substance misuse.
Various organisations publish VSA-specific material suitable for use
in youth and community work contexts. See the table below.
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Publication details
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What it is
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(1993?) Gordon Goodsense Guides. Coventry:
Rugby NHS Trust. Cost: £9.50 for bundle of 50 – minimum order.
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A set of cartoon style information leaflets devoted
to each drug (including volatile substances) covering street names,
effects, dangers associated with use, harm reduction advice, and
the law.
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(1995) Quick fix solution: information about
glue and other solvents. London: Hungerford Drug Project. Cost:
£1.
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Gives harm reduction advice to those already using
volatile substances. Offers advice about ‘problem solving’ without
the use of volatile substances, basic first aid, legal considerations
and referral options.
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(1996) Take a Sniff. London: Hope UK. Cost:
£0.40.
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More suitable for younger children
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(1999) Tooting Terry and Hoots McToots Lifeline
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This comic book format publication follows the successful
Lifeline approach
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Clements, I. & Buckiewicz, M. (1993) Approaches
to peer-led health education: a guide for youth workers. London:
Health Education Authority.
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Examines the concept and practice of peer-led education.
Provides training exercises, practical ideas and eleven examples
of projects including a VSA group.
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(1996) Free to be: safe, healthy and happy
(youth workers pack). Staffordshire: Re-Solv. Cost: £5
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Specifically aimed at youth workers working with
12 to 16-year-olds, the pack provides information about; recognising
VSA; implementing preventative measures and responding to VSA as
a local problem.
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Publications for parents
Parents need help in addressing the issue of volatile substance abuse
with their children. This should start young, because some pre-teen children
experiment with sniffing. The following publications may help.
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Publication Details
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Abstract
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Campbell, A. (1994) Inhalants: beyond sniffing glue.
Understanding drugs most parents don’t even know they have in their
home. PTA Today, pp.15 Cost: copyright restrictions.
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A magazine article that outlines warning signs that
may mean a young person is misusing volatile substances, and the
consequences associated with use. Suggests what can be done to prevent
children and young people from using these substances. A useful
and practical jargon-free resource. Good for parents who need a
basic understanding of what VSA is and guidance about how to deal
with it.
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(1998) Keep your Child Safe and Sound: a Parents
Guide to Volatile Substance Abuse. Re-Solv Cost: up to 50 copies
are free of charge.
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Gives basic information including: the dangers;
why young people sniff; the effects; signs to look out for and tips
for communicating with children about VSA. Apart from a brief mention
of alcohol, the leaflet doesn’t address VSA in the wider context
of drug use.
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A more general publication that deals with VSA in the context of other
drug misuse is Let’s Find Out About Drugs Together, a booklet for
children and adults to read together. This is designed for children to
read with their parent or carer, and it covers all drugs including medicines,
alcohol and tobacco, illegal drugs and substances in the home (including
volatile substances). It has activities and exercises and is available
from us at educaRI. To
find out more
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