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VSA Facts |
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Trends in UK deaths associated with abuse of volatile substances, 1971-2008
A report by St George's University of London
Click here to download...
DID YOU KNOW.
*VSA & DEATH
- VSA kills an average of one person every week in the UK
- In 2008 in 56% of VSA deaths there was no evidence of previous abuse
- 2 deaths were due to the non-medical use of Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
- 25 deaths were due to Helium – these figures are not included in the VSA Report deaths
- From 2000 - 2008 the average annual fatality rate was 55 – most were under 18
- The youngest person to die from VSA was a 7 year old – the oldest was an 85 year old
- Between 2000 - 2008 VSA killed more young people aged 10 – 15 than all illegal drugs
VSA & HEALTH
- VSA can damage all internal organs
- VSA is a powerful hallucinogenic which means young people can put themselves at risk which may leads to tragic accidents
- VSA can create a high in 15 - 30 seconds, leading quickly to a mind altering state
VSA & CRIME
- Crimes committed whilst high on these substances include murder, rape, assault, theft and vandalism
- The majority of drug users have admitted that VSA was their “Stepping Stone” to illegal drugs
VSA & YOUNG PEOPLE
- Volatile substances are the preferred choice for many young people
- Research has shown that 1 in 10 young people will have sniffed by 13
VSA & ADULTS
- Adult use of volatile substances in a crisis, can often be linked to childhood experimentation
- Volatile substances may be used as a substitute and or coping strategy when illegal drugs are not available
VSA FACTS
- Butane lighter refills continued to claim the most lives - linked to 83% of all VSA deaths
- Volatile substances are easier to access than illegal drugs
- Sniffing itself is not illegal therefore it is easy for a user to argue that they are not doing anything wrong
- The average home contains over 50 products that can be abused
- There is no such thing as a typical sniffer – those who abuse these substances can be any age, or come from any social, cultural or ethnic background
- VSA does not show up in any non-invasive drug testing
THESE ARE ONLY A FEW OF THE FACTS - TO FIND OUT MORE CONTACT
SOLVE IT VSA 01536 510010
*VSA – Volatile Substance Abuse
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FIGURES FROM A DEPT OF HEALTH RESEARCH DOCUMENT MARCH 09 |
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(9,000 PUPILS – 309 SCHOOLS)
Young people who have taken individual drugs, by age
| Type of Drug |
11yrs |
12yrs |
13yrs |
14 yrs |
15yrs |
Total |
| Cannabis |
1% |
2% |
4% |
12% |
23% |
9% |
| Ecstasy |
0% |
0% |
0% |
1% |
4% |
1% |
| Heroin |
0% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
1% |
1% |
| Cocaine |
0% |
0% |
1% |
2% |
3% |
1% |
| Amphetamines |
0% |
0% |
1% |
1% |
2% |
1% |
| Volatile Substances |
3% |
4% |
5% |
7% |
7% |
6% |
Young people who have been offered individual drugs, by sex
Type of drug |
Boys |
Girls |
Total |
Cannabis |
28% |
22% |
25% |
Ecstasy |
7% |
7% |
7% |
Heroin |
5% |
6% |
5% |
Cocaine |
8% |
8% |
8% |
Amphetamines |
7% |
7% |
7% |
Volatile Substances |
14% |
15% |
14% |
Young people who have taken individual drugs in the last year, by age
Type of drug |
11 years |
12 years |
13 years |
14 years |
15 years |
Total |
Cannabis |
1% |
2% |
7% |
17% |
26% |
11% |
Ecstasy |
0% |
0% |
1% |
2% |
3% |
1% |
Heroin |
0% |
0% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
Cocaine |
0% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
3% |
1% |
Amphetamines |
0% |
0% |
1% |
2% |
3% |
1% |
Volatile Substances |
4% |
5% |
6% |
7% |
6% |
6% |
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