colwyn Bay - Tragic parents' solvents warning

Last Updated: Wednesday, 6 July, 2005, 10:50 GMT 11:50 UK  E-mail this to a friend Printable version

Tragic parents' solvents warning

Danielle Taylor died after sniffing solvents for the first time The parents of a teenage girl who died after sniffing air freshener for the first time have backed a new campaign on the dangers of solvent abuse.Danielle Taylor, 16, of Colwyn Bay, north Wales, was overcome by fumes after inhaling in June 2004. Posters and leaflets will be given to schools throughout Wales ahead of the summer holidays. Her father Bryn said: "No parent should have to go through the loss of a child, especially over something so stupid."  Misusing solvents can kill you on the first occasion and that's a message that a lot of people weren't aware of  Dewi Roberts, drug reduction officer Police are leading the summer campaign to highlighting the fact that sniffing substances kills more young people than all illegal drugs combined. The four Welsh police forces and the charity Re-Solv (the Society for the Prevention of Solvent and Volatile Substance Abuse) hope to raise awareness among young people of the risks. Danielle, a pupil at Eirias High School, Colwyn Bay, had been sunbathing with friends when one suggested trying sniffing and bought five cans of air freshener. Mr Taylor said: "They proceeded to go back to one of the friends' houses for a giggle, for a laugh." 'Volatile chemicals' An accidental death verdict was recorded at the inquest, which heard that such solvents had the same effect as an anaesthetic drug, depressing the breathing. "It's still not real," said Mr Taylor. "We still expect Danielle to be there." Dewi Roberts, a drug reduction officer, said one in four of those who died had never tried substance abuse before.  It can affect a person's ability to perform everyday activities like walking, talking and thinking  Lyn Webber, Gwent Police The chemicals involved are found in such products as deodorant, hairspray, cigarette lighter refills, adhesive, dry-cleaning and degreasing agents, and fire extinguishers may all contain volatile chemicals which can kill. "I was unaware that misusing solvents can kill you on the first occasion and that's a message that a lot of people weren't aware of," said Mr Roberts. "It's really important that we tell the community as a whole - young people, parents, schools - of the danger of solvent misuse and that one single experimentation can kill you." The campaign was launched at the Welsh assembly in Cardiff with the backing of trading standards officers, who educate retailers about legislation and health risks involved in selling restricted goods to the young. Welsh Social Justice Minister Edwina Hart said substance abuse in the UK was the highest in the European Union. "This type of substance misuse is a particular problem among younger and more vulnerable children." Gwent Police substance misuse officer Lyn Webber said: "It can affect a person's ability to perform everyday activities like walking, talking and thinking. It can also kill instantly."Our primary aim is to educate individuals of the dangers so they realise that abusing solvents really isn't worth the risk."  E-mail this to a friend Printable version