MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday 11th June 2002

A welcome first step in tackling the issue of solvent misuse by young people

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) today welcomed the release of ‘Responsible Sale of Solvents’, a kit for retailers, launched by the Hon John Thwaites, Minister for Health. The kit, developed in response to concerns about solvent misuse by young people, provides retailers with guidelines for the responsible sale of solvents.

Janet Jukes, Executive Officer of YACVic said, ‘this kit indicates a collaborative approach between retailers and the Government and is a first step in preventing the harm associated with volatile substance use by young people. We hope the Government will continue to implement further strategies that tackle the issue in an holistic way’.

‘We also need to recognise that young people who are chronic uses of volatile substances are often our most marginalised and damaged young people. Effective strategies should deal with the cause as well as the symptoms of a problem.’

‘We need to work together to develop strategies to overcome issues of disconnection and disadvantage that are often associated with substance inhalation. Strategies must also address the appalling lack of resources available to services dealing with chronic inhalant users and the lack of research in this area’, Ms Jukes said.

“By launching the retailers kit, the Government has begun to address this information gap. However, more resources are needed for research so that we can better understand this issue’.

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria is the peak body and leading policy advocate for youth issues in Victoria. We have a membership of around 500 organisations and individuals who are either young people or people who work with them.

Further media comment
Janet Jukes, Executive Officer 0411 484 428