TIME 2 SOLVE IT

The "TIME 2 SOLVE IT" project was launched on November 6th 2006.

The project provides a unique, dedicated and accessible adult counselling, drop in, family support, mediation and support group service for Volatile Substance users and their families and communities, many of whom are particularly vulnerable. It aims to reduce harm caused by VSA to the individual, their families, and community. (There is no known similar service in the UK specifically targeting adult VSA users, their families and communities, all of whom may have multiple needs.)

The type of clients the project will be providing for include: -
- People from ethnic minority groups
- Older people (i.e. those aged over 45 to retirement age)
- People with caring responsibilities
- People with mental health difficulties
- People with severe literacy and numeracy problems, or who lack key skills
- People who need help to develop personal effectiveness to counter chronic low self-esteem.
- People with substance abuse, alcohol and drug problems
- Teenagers with children (aged 16+)
- The homeless and rough sleepers
- Households where no–one is earning
- People living in rural communities
- 16 and 17 yr olds who are Not currently engaged in Employment Education or Training (or who are at risk of becoming NEET)
- Young people (16-24) with learning difficulties

The objectives of the project are to provide: -
- A guarantee to respond to requests for family support and or adult counselling within seven working days.
- A Family Support Counsellor (FSC)
- The provision of an adult confidential Drop In Service throughout various locations in Northamptonshire.
- The facilitating of Support Groups.
- Community awareness and support

For the User
The FSC will enable those adults who want to stop using volatile substances to do so by providing support in working towards and achieving their goal. As the prospect of life without these substances can be overwhelming to some abusers, the FSC will highlight the facts to enable the client to make an informed choice about their physical and mental health and well being in relation to this type of substance abuse.
- The facilitating of Support Groups.

For the Families
VSA within the family, with all its implications, can be a difficult and daunting situation to tackle. The FSC will enable families to talk openly and honestly in a controlled environment, which will be the first step to making a difference.
A parent, carer or partner with concerns for someone currently using volatile substances will be offered practical and emotional support.
In the unfortunate occasions when a loved one has died, support would be offered support to those experiencing grief due to that loss.
- The facilitating of Support Groups.

For the Communities
Information and awareness sessions, held at various venues will help to create an empathy to the consequences of VSA, elevate community fears in relation to crime and enable those in the communities who choose to, to support abusers and their families in their achieving their goals.

- Many adult users are unable to work, have lost their self-esteem, lack motivation and/or are homeless.
- There is evidence that anti social behaviour orders have increased for those using Volatile Substances, with many committing further offences, which usually result in a term of imprisonment.
- There has been an increase in female users accessing the FSC some of whom are mothers. There is a need to minimise any risks to children because of parental VSA.

Between April 06 – June 06, the FSC had contact with 112 clients – 81 being adults, many of who had dual diagnosis eg. mental health issues.

SOLVE IT’s FSC is employed to work for 6 hours per week, primarily with children and young people. The need to accommodate an adult specific service is essential and many adults present with a variety of issues and complex needs related to their VSA, further identifying the need for a specific service – “TIME 2 SOLVE IT”

Focus on…. Kerry Maddock

Kerry joined SOLVE IT in March 2003 and currently has 2 roles within the organisation; Education & Awareness Co-ordinator and Outreach Co-ordinator.

As one of our Education & Awareness Co-ordinators, Kerry is responsible for facilitating awareness sessions on Volatile Substance Abuse in all senior schools in Northamptonshire. The sessions are devised for young people in year 7 and above (11 years & above) and all sessions are relevant for the age range that she is working with. All sessions cover VSA in relation to death, health, accidents, crime and illegal drugs. This includes real life pictures, case studies, testimonies from prisoners whose life has been affected by VSA, statistics and facts.

In addition to working with those in mainstream education, she also facilitates sessions for those who do not access mainstream schools, including those in secure units, looked after young people, excluded young people and many others. As a result, the style of the presentation changes regularly depending on the environment she is working in and the needs of the young people within the group.

Kerry’s post as Outreach Co-ordinator is designed specifically for work in Corby, Northants and is to access those who, for whatever reason, do not access mainstream schools. The sessions are more informal and can take place in youth groups or other places where young people congregate. In her outreach post she also facilitates a lot of community events and has developed a Lifeskills workbook for one-to-one work with young people.

Young people seem to identify with Kerry and appreciate her less formal appearance. As one young person put it, “Your hair was really cool and a good example of how solvents can be used correctly”!

Between April 2005 & March 2006, Kerry saw a total of 14, 492 young people.

Raise money for SOLVE IT

You can raise money for SOLVE IT just by searching the web!

www.everyclick.com is an internet search engine with a big difference - it donates half its revenues to charity.

Just make www.everyclick.com/uk/solveit your home page and make sure you use it whenever you search the web!

It does not cost us, or you, a penny so please use it to support SOLVE IT.

You can also help to raise money for SOLVE IT by sending your empty ink cartridges (not Epson) to the address at the foot of the page. Your support is appreciated.

Fundraising event

SOLVE IT is holding a Craft Fair to raise much needed funds on Saturday 28th October 2006. The event will be held at the Cornmarket Hall, London Road, Kettering (UK) from 10am to 2.30pm. Entry is 50p, but children (under 12) go free.

Stalls are 6ft by 5ft and cost £20 plus a raffle prize. If you wish to purchase one to sell your crafts at the event, please contact Sue Nott for an application form. All profits go to SOLVE IT.

Donated items for the raffle or bric-a-brac stall would be very welcome.

Comments on St. George's University report

The 19th report from St. George's University of London, "Trends in death associated with abuse of Volatile Substances 1971 - 2004" has just been released.

It is good news that there has been a slight reduction in the number of Volatile Substance Abuse deaths reported in 2004, however we must not become complacent.

Looking at the current reduction in VSA deaths, 47 in 2004 compared to 53 in 2003, it would be very easy to think, 'oh well that's solved it, let's move onto the next problem', but that would be like not taking the full course of antibiotics.

These substances are still killing more children and young people aged between 10 - –15 than all illegal drugs, and in 2004, the youngest person to die was a 12 year old -– the oldest 66.

VSA can damage the lungs, liver, kidneys, brain, heart and central nervous system. In addition it is a powerful hallucinogenic, which means that young people can put themselves at risk and this may lead to tragic accidents.

Its use may lead to social exclusion, crime, family breakdown and there is always the possibility that it may lead the user into illegal drug use.

VSA differs from other forms of drug misuse in many ways - it is not illegal to abuse; the products used can be found in any home, supermarket or workplace. It is difficult to assess the prevalence of VSA and, due to its complex nature and the higher profile of illegal drugs, it is often omitted from or given very little time on drug education programmes and professional training.

The range of products capable of abuse is extensive and it is estimated that the average household contains 50 abusable products.

It is not illegal to possess, purchase (although there are some limitations of sales), or even to abuse the products, sending the message to young people that this form of abuse must be safe.

Many parents and professionals are unaware of the issues and consequences for children and young people, often referring to VSA as a "thing of the past".”

SOLVE IT currently provides VSA awareness, preventative education and early intervention for young people from ages 9-19. This information is especially tailored to ensure that individuals receive not just a basic knowledge of VSA, but life skill strategies that are calibrated appropriately to the young persons understanding of the topic, overall exposure to VSA and likelihood of experimentation.