MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday 11th September 2002

Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee Report into the Inhalation of Volatile Substances

The agencies and services listed below commend the Victorian Parliamentary Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee on its tabling of the final report into the Inhalation of Volatile Substances.

This is the most comprehensive and detailed review of national and international practice, law, treatment and research in the area of Volatile Substance Abuse which is timely and useful.

We encourage the Government and the Victorian community to take time to absorb and consider the report and the recommendations of the Committee.

At the heart of this matter, and any actions which may stem from this report, are the lives of vulnerable Victorian families and individuals. We urge the Government and the Victorian community to keep these people at the forefront in future deliberations on this issue.

We, the community, all share the goal of ensuring young people live, and develop to their fullest, and so we need to consider any/all options regarding treatment and care that may achieve this goal.

• Anglicare Victoria
• Australian Drug Foundation
• Berry Street Victoria
• Catholic Social Services
• Centre for Adolescent Health
• Children’s Welfare Association of Victoria
• CREATE
• Good Shepherd
• Jesuit Social Services
• MacKillop Family Services
• Odyssey
• Salvation Army
• Turning Point
• Uniting Care Connections
• Urban Seed
• Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association
• Victorian Council of Social Services
• Wesley Mission
• Windana Society
• Youth Affairs Council of Victoria
• Youth Substance Abuse Service

Further media comment
Janet Jukes, Youth Affairs Council of Victoria – 0411 484428
David Murray, Youth Substance Abuse Service – 9415 8881
Margaret Hamilton, Turning Point – 9254 8061