| The first National Conference on Solvent and volatile substance
abuse organised has been hailed as a huge success by both the
delegates and its organisers. And Kettering MP Phil Sawford
has already said he'll be pressing the Government to send a
Minister to next year's event.
More than a hundred delegates attended the event from all
over the country, representing many different agencies working
such fields as young people, health, education, drug prevention
services, and law enforcement, and community safety.
A drama was presented to the conference, written, produced,
and performed by The Shout Theatre Group - a community youth
group, who were able to put forward their own perspective
on the abuse of glues gasses and aerosols.
John Ramsey from St. George's hospital medical school in
London, reminded the conference that five young people every
month die from Solvent and Volatile Substance abuse in this
country, and highlighted the variety of products that are
capable of such abuse.
Mr Sawford, a backbench Labour MP, gave his full support
to the work that SOLVE IT and other such agencies undertake
to raise awareness of the issues of Solvent abuse, but couldn't
hide his disappointment that the Government could not spare
a Minister to attend the conference.
The conference also heard emotional and powerful speeches
from prisoners - current and former - who are involved with
the Wellingborough Prison Community Project.
They all made it clear that their addiction to harder drugs
stemmed initially form abuse of glues gasses and aerosols,
due in the main to there availability.
Steve Lambert, SOLVE IT's marketing and fund raising director,
said he was delighted at the success of the conference, and
of the local and national profile the conference helped achieve
for the issue.
"This is the first conference we've arranged, and judging
from the feedback we have had so far, it has been long overdue."
"Many of the people here today, admit that they have
had their eyes opened as far as this topic is concerned and
have gone away with a lot more knowledge to work with. We
feel that the conference has been extremely worthwhile."
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