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Friday, Aug 24, 2012
Products containing inhalants include glue, paint, thinner, stain removers and nail polish.
Many of these products are also common household items and are easily available in stationery stores, provision shops and supermarkets.
Given its wide usage, it is not practical to enforce extensively strict controls on the sale of such substances, said the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).
"Any form of controls will have to be supported by regular checks and enforcement. CNB therefore adopts a more targeted approach by visiting shops situated in places that are frequented by youths and advises them to exercise caution in the sale of any inhalant products, especially to young persons," a CNB spokesman said.
The CNB also issues Letters of Advice and Letters of Notice to shop owners who sell inhalant products to abusers.
The spokesman said: "Once the Letter of Notice is issued, the shop will have to maintain a register on every sales of inhalant products made."
CNB reaches out to students as well by having regular preventive education activities.
"Talks were also conducted at schools with known incidences of inhalant abuse to warn them of the dangers and consequences of abusing inhalants," the spokesman said.
It has also worked with the Ministry of Education and schools to set up a framework for case-reporting and management of inhalant abuse cases.
Parents play critical role
CNB said that parents, too, play a critical role, as most abusers are youths.
"They can help prevent their children from abusing inhalants as well as spotting tell tale signs of possible abuse. Early detection can prevent the abusers from suffering irreversible health damage," the spokesman said.
Inhalant abusers can be admitted to an approved centre for treatment and rehabilitation for up to six months, or be sentenced up to six months' jail or fined S$2,000 or both.
Anyone selling or offering to sell an intoxicating substance when it is suspected that the substance is for the purpose of intoxication may be jailed up to two years or fined S$5,000 or both.
Products containing inhalants include glue, paint, thinner, stain removers and nail polish.
Many of these products are also common household items and are easily available in stationery stores, provision shops and supermarkets.
Given its wide usage, it is not practical to enforce extensively strict controls on the sale of such substances, said the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).
"Any form of controls will have to be supported by regular checks and enforcement. CNB therefore adopts a more targeted approach by visiting shops situated in places that are frequented by youths and advises them to exercise caution in the sale of any inhalant products, especially to young persons," a CNB spokesman said.
The CNB also issues Letters of Advice and Letters of Notice to shop owners who sell inhalant products to abusers.
The spokesman said: "Once the Letter of Notice is issued, the shop will have to maintain a register on every sales of inhalant products made."
CNB reaches out to students as well by having regular preventive education activities.
"Talks were also conducted at schools with known incidences of inhalant abuse to warn them of the dangers and consequences of abusing inhalants," the spokesman said.
It has also worked with the Ministry of Education and schools to set up a framework for case-reporting and management of inhalant abuse cases.
Parents play critical role
CNB said that parents, too, play a critical role, as most abusers are youths.
"They can help prevent their children from abusing inhalants as well as spotting tell tale signs of possible abuse. Early detection can prevent the abusers from suffering irreversible health damage," the spokesman said.
Inhalant abusers can be admitted to an approved centre for treatment and rehabilitation for up to six months, or be sentenced up to six months' jail or fined S$2,000 or both.
Anyone selling or offering to sell an intoxicating substance when it is suspected that the substance is for the purpose of intoxication may be jailed up to two years or fined S$5,000 or both.
