Wednesday, 3 May 2023

Drug harm reduction

Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (17:33): (177) My adjournment matter tonight is for the Minister for Mental Health, and the action I seek is that more harm reduction information and alcohol and drug youth workers be made available to young people specifically in relation to inhalants. When I was in high school just over 10 years ago we were never told about the risks of chroming, nangs and other inhalants. I know that these days schools are required to provide alcohol and other drug education as part of the curriculum, but there is absolutely more to be done. High school is the perfect environment to provide young people with information and support about inhalants and other substances to prevent harm. We want to offer young people information to guide them before they may be exposed to peer pressure, pushing them to use these substances, pushing them to take significant risk. This type of early intervention is critical and could help further tragedies such as that of Esra Haynes. Esra was just 13 years old when she suffered a cardiac arrest and subsequently died after chroming. It is a devastating reminder to us all that this practice is life-threatening.

Chroming, nanging, spraying – call it what you will – involves inhalation of paint, nitrates, glue or other substances. They are often regular household products that are easy to find and purchase. Inhaling them can cause hallucinations, blackouts, choking or asphyxiation, seizures, organ damage and death. Chroming is particularly common in young people in early high school. A study of Australian high school students in 2017 found that almost 20 per cent of students aged between 12 and 17 years had used inhalants at least once, and we know that some of these students are using much more regularly. We need to make sure that young people have access to evidence-based harm minimisation education that is tailored to their developmental and age needs. As I have already said, early intervention is key. That is why today I am calling on the government to provide easy-to-access harm reduction information in schools and more alcohol and other drug youth workers to focus on early intervention programs, specifically in relation to inhalants. We cannot bury our heads in the sand and pretend that young people are not going to come up against peer pressure or take risks. The result of young people not being educated of these risks is that sometimes they will become really unwell or even lose their life. But we can offer young people the information they need to make things safer. Introducing young people to youth workers in schools and other relevant environments helps reduce the stigma of seeking support and it can build relationships that save lives.

Esra was in year 8 at school. She attended Lilydale High School. She loved footy and had her whole life in front of her. I cannot imagine the devastation that her family, friends and community are feeling after losing her. I send my heartfelt condolences to Esra’s family. I call on the minister to provide resources, youth workers, information – whatever is needed – to reduce the harm caused by inhalants and to work towards preventing further tragic deaths such as that of Esra.