Reducing the harm

The Drug Foundation’s message is clear: no drug use is the safest drug use. However, we know there will be occasions when people ignore warnings and use drugs in a dangerous manner. To help keep communities safe we therefore provide information about proven methods of drug harm reduction.

Those intending to use inhalants should note the following list of steps to help reduce the risks involved.

• Surround yourself with a close group of friends at all times and make sure not all are using solvents so others can look after you if something goes wrong.
• Do not spray aerosols directly into the mouth. This can be very dangerous. One effect is that aerosol substances are very cold and may freeze the throat causing breathing to become irregular or stop.
• Do not use lighters or matches around inhalants as they are often very flammable.
• Do not put plastic bags over your head as this can cause suffocation.
• Do not drive while under the influence of inhalants as they can affect coordination and the ability to judge speed and distance.
• Do not combine inhalants with alcohol as the combined effects can be very unpredictable.
• Do not use inhalants if you have a personal or family history of mental health problems.
• Do not use inhalants when in a negative state of mind; or to cloud negative feelings because they could make those negative feelings worse. Also you are more likely to become aggressive and engage in risky behaviours that may harm yourself and/or others.
• It is important to note that it is impossible to guarantee safe use of inhalants. Death and overdose is a very real risk with inhalant abuse and it can be random, meaning users can die or overdose from their 1^st use, 50^th use or 100^th use.
• The likelihood of death can be reduced if peers are aware of the signs and are able to resuscitate the user immediately, as in many cases there is no time to wait for medical attention.

The Drug Foundation has produced a Volatile Substance Guide for Retailers. Retailers can play an important role in helping to reduce the incidence of inhalant abuse. It is a website which has simple tools to help retailers, including:

• ways to improve in-store displays and signage,
• training on handling difficult customers
• advice on dealing with emergencies
• tips on improving security.

It also has video clips of shop owners and health workers talking about the issue.

Retailers are able to order a range of materials from the website to support their decision to act responsibly when selling volatile substances. www.volatilesubstances.co.nz