Non-sniff deodorant quest

THE war waging against recreational deodorant sniffers has been ramped in a move to eradicate the problem plaguing the Territory.

THE war waging against recreational deodorant inhalers has been ramped up by the Central Australian Youth Link Up Service, which has formed an alliance with a peak industry body in a bid to abolish the problem.

The Alice Springs-based group last week met with the Aerosol Association of Australia (AAA) to begin drafting a proposal for the Federal Government to commission research into the issue.

 

It comes after several spikes in activity over the past two years, including in April where 20 youths were referred to the Department of Health for Volatile Substance Abuse. A further 16 were referred in May. Nine were clients of Alcohol and Other Drugs Service Central Australia.

 

CAYLUS manager Blair McFarland said the conversion from sniffable to non-sniffable products could have a range of positive outcomes for a number of stakeholders.

 

“The way Opal got up was by the (Federal) Government realising the need for non-sniffable fuel and commissioning research to identify ways the company could create it,” he said.

 

“What we are thinking is that maybe we can talk to the AAA and, through them, approach the Government about the issue, have the research funded and then produce a non-sniffable deodorant."

 

“We are very hopeful. Opal is ultimately a better product than normal fuel so we are hoping the changeover from sniffable to non-sniffable deodorant will have some commercial advantages.

 

“Maybe the new deodorant will be less environmentally damaging or the change in propellants might be able to combat global warming.

 

“It’s going to be a long process but we are certainly moving forward … by identifying the issues and finding technical solutions. It’s not an easy fix but neither was Opal.

 

While recreational deodorant sniffing has been an ongoing problem for remote communities in Central Australia, the issue has now expanded to other areas, including Mount Isa.

 

Mr McFarland said although popular brand Rexona was the “clear choice” for users, CAYLUS and AAA would also monitor other products to uncover the full scope of the issue.

 

“We can’t really say why but it appears to be a peer thing – their brothers did it with Rexona, their uncles did it with Rexona, and so they do it with Rexona.”

 

He said the group would be monitoring the issue in town over the next month.