SOLVE IT

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SOLVE IT
Prevention Through EducationSOLVENT VOLATILE
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
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VSA versus EcstasyComparisons for 1999
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VSA Facts

• In 2000 VSA killed 7 times more young people than
  Ecstasy
• Up to five young people die in the UK every month
  due to VSA
• In 39.1 of deaths in 2000 there was no known
  previous abuse
• The age at which young people experiment is
  generally much younger than for controlled drugs
• Many adults, both parents and professionals
  believe V.S.A. is a thing of the past

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SOLVE IT
Mission StatementTo provide a dedicated service
to young people, parents, professionals and
organisations that promotes understanding,
awareness and education of the consequences of
Volatile Substance Abuse, working towards the
prevention of related deaths, illness,
accidents, crime and the impact such abuse has on
the family and the community, enabling a safer
and healthy environment
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Young People

• Schools
• Excluded young people
• Y.O.I.
• Youth Groups

• Information
• Education
• Support
• Signposting

Out Reach Counselling Advocacy
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Young people. Aged 11-15
Figures from a Dept of Health Research Document-
March 2002 (285 Schools/9,300 pupils)
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Taken an Individual Drug by Age - 2001
Figures from a Dept of Health Research Document-
March 2002 (285 Schools/9,300 pupils)
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Parents

• Awareness
• Information
• Education

• Schools Events
• Community Events
• One to One

Signposting Referral
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(No Transcript)
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Professionals

• Information
• Education
• Training
• Displays
• Advice
• Legal Issues

• Police Probationers
• Health Professionals
• Teachers
• Youth Leaders
• Retailers
• Business

Work in Partnership
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Aims Objectives
To provide accurate, up to date information,
awareness, education and training for
professionals and other organisations To work in
partnership with other organisations to provide a
service that highlights the impact of Volatile
Substance Abuse

• VSA issues in relation to young people
• Prevalence of VSA
• Products abused
• Why they are abused
• Methods of abuse
• Effects Consequences
• Signs Symptoms
• Emergency Action

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SOLVE IT Facts

• The youngest person who has abused Volatile
  Substances known to SOLVE IT is a 5 year old girl
• The age range of people seeking counselling and
  /or support from SOLVE IT is 10 - 38 years old.
• This year, areas of contact include Aberdeen,
  Belfast, Birmingham, Brighton, Cheltenham, County
  Armagh, Glasgow, Isle of Wight, Leicestershire,
  Manchester, Northamptonshire and Shrewsbury.
• SOLVE IT total contacts for the last three months
  are 4,231