Dangerous Highs, a new joint report from NCB and ChildLine reveals that children as young as 10 are inhaling solvents and flirting with death on a regular basis.
The report, which analyses over 350 calls made to ChildLine about VSA, shows that volatile substances are not used simply to get high. Often there are severe traumas as well as emotional and mental health problems that go unsupported and cause children to abuse volatile substances as a means of escape.
The accessibility of everyday products such as glue and nail varnish means VSA often begins at an early age. The report also shows that those already marginalised by society - such as children in care or in young offenders' institutes - are particularly vulnerable to VSA.
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