October 2004

6 October

Volatile Substances Update

Glasgow

Since 1971 more than 2000 deaths in the UK have been associated with volatile substances. Latest figures for 2002 alone show that 63 fatalities were connected with volatile substances – over 71 percent having used gas fuels and nearly 16 percent having used aerosols.

This Scottish Drugs Forum seminar looked at what is being done at a personal, industrial and political level to stem the tide of death and harm associated with improper VS use.

Speakers were John O’Brien, who founded the Fife-based Lee O’Brien Solvent Trust (LOST) after the death of his 16-year-old son; Sue Rogers, Director of British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association (BAMA) who spoke on about the steps taken by aerosol manufacturers to reduce deaths and John MacDougall, Westminster MP for Central Fife, on the political way forward to curtail the potential for VS harm.

The following presentation can be viewed below:

What are aerosol manufacturers doing to reduce deaths? - Sue Rogers, Director, British Association of Aerosol Manufacturers (BAMA)

Birth of an organisation (11mb) - John O'Brien, Lee O'Brien Solvent Trust (LOST)