It’s a powerful name, and that is because it is a powerful and lethal class of drugs. They are toxic, easy to obtain, life threatening, brain-disintegrating and available anywhere and everywhere. Every time you walk into a supermarket they are there. Every time you visit a household, visit a restaurant or go for a holiday and stay in a hotel, you will find them. They are a part of everyday modern life. And they are causing untold damage – sometimes irreparably – to our youth.
Volatile substances comprise a host of domestic products that are not meant for any kind of human consumption. They are chemically based and include:
- Spray deodorant
- Glue
- Lighter refills
- Spray air fresheners
- Spray paint
- Solvents
- Propellants (nitrous oxide)
- Fuels
- Car starter
- Fuel gases[1]
The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction says that “volatile substance use may be defined as the deliberate inhalation of volatile compounds to produce psychoactive effects. These compounds have few characteristics in common other than their intoxication effect and the behavioural effects they produce.”[2] Some of the volatiles such as toluene[3]
Use
Use of volatiles by way of inhalation and sniffing seems to be confined to adolescent and young adult populations and is often a precursor to other psychoactive drug use.
Many of these substances are readily available in the workplace and on site in heavy industry. Be aware of the possibility of volatile substance usage amongst young employee and apprentice groups, who fit into the main risk group. Death can occur from “sudden sniffing death syndrome (SSDS) which occurs when an irregular and rapid heart rhythm brought on by the use of volatile substances and anoxia and hypercapnia and a major adrenaline release. Death can result in minutes.[4]
Pharmacological Effects
The repeated exposure to solvents can also have disastrous effects on the brain. “Exposure to toluene results in damage to the protective sheath around nerve fibres in the brain and peripheral nervous system.” The ensuing damage is similar to deterioration experienced by Multiple Sclerosis sufferers. The damage is permanent and often irreversible.
Other solvents may also cause extensive damage to the organs of the body. (E.g. Cirrhosis of the liver, kidney problems.)
Mediscreen’ prime and core concern is the delivery of onsite screening programmes for your organisation. However, we also believe in the need to keep you fully informed about important and contemporary information on substance that may be a threat to your organisation and also your employees.
Please call Mediscreen if you need further advice on our tailored onsite screening programmes. Mediscreen 1300797040.
[1] http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/drug-profiles/volatile
[2] Ibid.
[3] http://archives.drugabuse.gov/pdf/monograph/15.pdf
[4] http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/drug-profiles/volatile
