Inhalants

Inhalants are drugs which, when vaporised and inhaled, may cause the user to feel intoxicated. Many ordinary household products are inhalants such as glue, aerosol sprays, butane gas, some cleaning fluids, felt-tipped pens, liquid paper, paint thinner, chrome-based paints and petrol. Inhalants may also be referred to as solvents or volatile substances. The act of inhaling these substances is also referred to as chroming.

• NSW Government
• Australian Federal Government
• Governments of Other States & Territories
• Other Australian Links
• International
• Factsheets

NSW Government

NSW Health: Volatile Substances Factsheet
Information of the harmful effects associated with the abuse of volatile substances.

Department of Education: Sniffing: the dangers of solvent use by young people
This pamphlet informs school staff about the use of inhalants by young people. It is not intended that it be used with students.

State Library of NSW - drug info @ your library 
Information on the drug info @ your library site directs you to links with information about inhalants.  drug info @ your library is designed to help libraries in NSW provide drug information.

Back to top

Australian Federal Government

Australian Department of Health: An evaluation of the Comgas Scheme
This report evaluates the Comgas Scheme, which subsidises the cost of aviation fuel (Avgas) as an alternative motor vehicle fuel for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The subsidy provided under the Comgas Scheme means that, for approximately the same cost as ordinary unleaded petrol, participating communities can access a fuel that contains low levels of aromatic hydrocarbons, and is therefore unattractive to petrol sniffers. The report found that the Comgas Scheme is a 'safe, effective and popular intervention' which should be continued. The report also made a number of other recommendations for expanding the scope of the Comgas Scheme. 2004

Australian Institute of Criminology: Inhalant Use and Disorder

• Inhalant Use and Disorder: Conference
  Papers from a conference on inhalants organized by the Australian Institute of Criminology. The aim of the conference was to provide an opportunity for practitioners, researchers, policy-makers and community groups involved with inhalant misuse to discuss the topic, share knowledge and develop strategies to address the relevant issues. Particular emphasis was placed on preventive approaches and proactive programs.
• Alcohol and Illicit Drugs in Australia: Inhalants
  Information about inhalants including a discussion on its effects.

Back to top

Governments of Other States & Territories

Northern Territory Government: Petrol Sniffing in Remote Northern Territory Communities
October 2004

Northern Territory. Legislative Assembly. Select Committee on Substance Abuse in the Community

Victorian Government

• About Inhalant Abuse: community development
  This booklet provides guidance to those working to support and encourage community action aimed at reducing paint sniffing (often referred to as chroming). It is particularly aimed at aboriginal communities.
• About Inhalant Abuse: for health & community workers
  This booklet was developed for community drug and alcohol workers, and health professionals, who are working with young people who are engaged in chroming or other inhalant abuse. This booklet is concerned primarily with the inhalation of solvents, namely chrome paint.October 2003(1Mb PDF file) October 2003
• About Inhalant Abuse: information for parents and community members
  This booklet is for the Koori community, parents and relatives who may be worried that someone they know is sniffing inhalants. This booklet tells you what it is, how it hurts our young people, why they are doing it and what can help.(569k PDF file)
• Management response to inhalant use: Guidelines for Community Care and Drug & Alcohol sector
  These operational guidelines were developed to underpin the management by front line workers employed in Victorian Government funded services of people using inhalants. They cover assessment, clinical management and follow up of people using inhalants.
• Inquiry Into the Inhalation of Volatile Substances
  A report from the Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee of the Victorian Government.

Back to top

Other Australian Links

myDr
Inhalants and solvent abuse
myDr is an Australian healthcare Web site. This links to the myDr Web site with information on inhalants - including information on inhalants and driving, effects, treatment, information for parents, etc. It also contains information on inhalants in Australia.

National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC)
Australian Trends In Ecstasy And Related Drug Markets 2005
Findings from the Party Drugs Initiative (PDI)

 

Back to top

International

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) : Inhalants
Information on inhalants

Freevibe  Website
This links to a website is from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). It provides general information on inhalants plus it provides a list of websites and resources for further information.

National Inhalant Prevention Coalition (NIPC)  Website
The NIPC is a non-profit corporation based in Texas, USA. This links to their website which contains information on inhalants. It describes who is at risk, what inhalants can do to the body, how inhalant use be treated, plus information packages for teachers.

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Inhalants
Includes access to Research Reports, Community Drug Alert Bulletins, InfoFacts, newsletters, etc.

Scottish Government: Volatile Substance Abuse
A booklet that aims to raise the awareness of the dangers of volatile substance abuse.

US Dept. of Health: Inhalant Publications
Publications about inhalants that are available online.

Back to top

Factsheets

American Council for Drug Education

Druginfo (ADF):

• Inhalant use by young people (for parents)
• Inhalant use (for workers)
• Young people, volatile substances and the law
• Young people, volatile substances and workers in alcohol and drug services
• Young people, volatile substances and workers in out-of-home-care services
• Young people, volatile substances and workers with Indigenous young people

Family Drug Support (FDS)

Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)

Back to top