THE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1985. Concern over glue-sniffing

Press, 25 October 1985, Page 16

THE PRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1985. Concern over glue-sniffing

The initiative that the Rev. Peter Coughlan, vicar of St John’s church, Latimer Square, is taking to form a group of parents who want to discuss glue-sniffing by young people is a good idea. Parents who are concerned because their children are sniffing glue, or who suspect that their children are sniffing glue, or even those who simply want to know about the hazards, have a need to discuss the problem. Certainly there is a great deal to be said for having sound scientific information available about the sniffing of glue. A parents’ support group is one approach to handling such a problem. However, if parents co-operated more outside an institutional framework, some problems could be tackled earlier. The sniffing of glue, the taking of narcotics, and the drinking of alcohol can all be hazardous. Frequently, parents are afraid to get in touch with one another lest they put at risk their personal relations with their children. They may fear being seen as having children with problems; or they do not like to admit their suspicions or concern even to themselves. There are few problems faced by a parent that another parent has not faced. The exchanging of information among parents on everyday matters is normal, and commonly beneficial. It is a reminder that other families have problems and answers to the problems — or none — and also care about their own or other children. Most parents would be very grateful if another parent did everything reasonable to make sure that a son or daughter did not drive home drunk from a friend’s place. Most parents readily exchange thoughts about the health or education or entertainment

of each other’s children. The knowledge gained will not always be reliable or authoritative; nevertheless, it is part of the circulation of information, reassurance, or warnings. Families find that they do not stand alone. Mercifully, glue-sniffing is not an everyday hazard among youngsters and neighbourly exchanges of experience or information are not likely to be helpful. That is what gives point to Mr Coughlan’s proposal. Most people have some familiarity with alcohol. Only a limited number have familiarity with narcotics or with the solvents which attract the glue-sniffers. Many parents have not the slightest idea what certain narcotics look like, or how they smell. It is not always easy to gather such information because possession of the narcotics is illegal. Nevertheless, such basic information may be necessary for any attempt at increasing knowledge, or just the ability to recognise a problem in the family. The question of whether the sniffing of solvents should be controlled by legislation was addressed last year by a group of officials from the Ministry of Health, the police, and the departments of Health, of Social Welfare, and of Maori Affairs. The conclusion was that legislation was not the best way to control the problem, and that information programmes within communities were the best answer. An officer has also been appointed in the Social Welfare Department to help with the running of such programmes. Making the sniffing of glue illegal would seem to raise immense difficulties. Yet the risks are serious. Information and communication, which the parents’ group should provide, is at the very least a good place from which to start.