HL Deb 03 March 1982 vol 427 cc1365-6WA
Lord Blease

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will indicate:

  1. (i) whether, in attempting to cope with the issues arising from the problems of solvent abuse (glue sniffing) it is the general policy of the Northern Ireland Office and departments to discourage the publication of explicit information about the harmful toxic effects of "sniffing ", and the public discussion of the extent of these problems throughout the Province;
  2. (ii) the nature of research, if any, undertaken in Northern Ireland concerning the extent of addiction to the misuse of solvent vapours;
  3. (iii) whether official statistical information is available about the known incidence of solvent abuse in Northern Ireland;
  4. (iv) which Northern Ireland department or departments has or have been charged to co-ordinate the relevant Government response to the issues concerning solvent abuse in the Province;
  5. (v) whether the Northern Ireland Office has been made aware of the local surveys into the incidence of solvent abuse (glue sniffing) undertaken by the Woodvale and District Youth Care Association and by the East Belfast Community Council, and concern expressed publicly about continuing serious trends and hazards involved in "glue sniffing", especially among children of school age;
  6. (vi) whether the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has considered any further urgent and practical measures to encourage and support local initiatives to involve parents, children, teachers, social workers, doctors, health workers, and responsible broadcasters and journalists in co-operative efforts to overcome the human and social problems of solvent abuse in the Province, and possible ways to prevent untoward developments.

The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (The Earl of Gowrie)

1. While it is not Government policy to discourage publication of information or public discussion of solvent abuse, care is necessary to avoid any action which encourages the young to experiment. Information on solvent abuse is available to schools and colleges and to the youth service.

2. Psychologists in the open training schools are researching the factors which lead children to solvent abuse and the effects of such abuse on personality and brain functions. A project at Lisnevin Secure Unit is designed to discover the extent of addiction to alcohol, tobacco and solvents in young people and the reasons for it. Training school staff, social workers, community relations and education staff are holding a "think tank" on solvent abuse.

3. Statistical information is not available on the incidence of solvent abuse in Northern Ireland. However, since November 1978 six people have died from solvent abuse. In 1981 two cases were treated at hospital accident and emergency units for symptoms of glue sniffing.

4. Responsibility in Northern Ireland lies with the Secretary of State, and there is liaison between the departments concerned.

5. The Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland departments are aware of the seminar organised by the Woodvale District Youth Care Association. They are also considering the points made by the East Belfast Community Council on the results of a survey among local shopkeepers who sell solvents.

6. The Government believe that the problem is best dealt with by education and persuasion, including local initiatives involving parents, health, social and youth workers, police, teachers and others. The Department of Health and Social Services is preparing a memorandum of information and guidance on solvent abuse to assist those who may come to have to deal with the problem. On 8th March 1982 the Departments of Health and Social Services and of Education will hold a conference on Drug Abuse. Northern Ireland departments have supported the production of a film on solvent abuse for use on a United Kingdom basis by professional groups who have to deal with the problem.