Youths dicing with death

Published 22 Apr 2010 10:12 3 Comments

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By Ewan McInnes

CONCERNED residents are worried a 'cheap illegal high' is making a comeback in the town.

The News has received reports of solvent abuse at some of the local hotspots popular with Barrhead's youngsters including Cowan Park, Gerry Park and an arch near to St Conval's Cemetery.

In a worrying twist, it is believed that those abusing lighter fuel are lethally combining the hit of the solvent with cheap cider, tonic wine and super-strength lager.

The new craze is believed to be popular with youngsters and it is feared that lighter fuel is easily obtainable from shops in the town.

A concerned Barrhead dog owner told the News of his fears after coming across used lighter fuel cans amid empty booze bottles at haunts known to be frequented by a section of the area's youths.

He said: "I've come across this a few times now and it is bothering me quite a bit.

"Out with the dog I'm used to coming across empty bottles of wine or cider but a couple of times recently I have seen bottles of lighter fuel. I know that sniffing stuff like lighter fuel was popular 20 years ago but I didn't realise people were still doing it.

"You used to hear about people killing themselves doing that so I hope this isn't making a comeback."

Campaigner John O'Brien set up Scotland's only charity for solvent abuse awareness, the Lee'O'Brien Solvent Trust, after his son Lee died after inhaling cigarette lighter refill gas in 2002.

John said solvent abuse is making a dreaded return and he wants to remind people of how lethal it can be.

He said: "Flammable gas like lighter fuel can kill instantly, it does exactly what it says on the tin.

"The majority of people who die from it are first time users with the youngest to ever die being seven-years-old and the oldest being 87.

"Solvent abuse kills eight times as many people as illegal drugs because it is cheap, every household has them and a lot of mums and dads are uneducated about the harm it can cause.

"Everyone thinks it is a problem from the 80s but it is now a bigger problem than it ever was because alcohol is always going up in price, illegal drugs are hard to get a hold of and solvents are easily obtainable."

A police spokesman said that although they had not received any complaints of lighter fuel abuse recently they would still monitor the situation.

He added: "We are concerned about any disorder and child protection issues and to that end what we want and need is people to tell us if they come across this kind of activity.

"We want to know where they are getting this lighter fuel and if it becomes a problem we will speak to shopkeepers in the town.

"Our concern is that if they are sniffing this lighter fuel then there could be serious health problems for those people doing it."

Anyone who spots solvent abuse in Barrhead should contact the police on 0141 532 6200.

This article appeared in Barrhead News 21 Apr 10

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LindaB
Unregistered User
Apr 26, 10:05
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Barrhead youths, have always had a penchant for dicing with death.

Be it drugs, solvents or alcohol, it's their mindset, has nothing to do with their upbringing or environment, has little to do with peer pressure,

It's as though, if you are born in Barrhead you must do something daft, as a part of growing up, few however, do grow up.

Some die through their inane stoopidity!!

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mike
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May 11, 08:06
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how are kids getting hold of this stuff?

it's a total joke. shopkeepers should be able to look at some of these kids and know what they're going to use it for and not serve them.

and no-body should be able to buy lighter fuel in shops. that's why there are so many fires in the town during summer.

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johno
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May 11, 08:30
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what's really worrying are the amount of places in Barrhead where young people can skulk and drink without ever being found.

there are so many dark and dingy areas around the town that i'm not surprised they're using lighter fuel to get high.

no-one is ever going to see them.

it's a simple choice. give them something to do or have loads of police patrols out and about.

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