Substance Abuse training Aims To Save Caithness Children's Lives

17th June 2010

People who work with children and young people in Caithness have recently been trained to identify and understand the signs of solvent abuse.

Training was organised and sponsored by The Highland Council's Youth Action Team and Caithness Drug & Alcohol Forum and delivered by the charity Re-Solv that specialises in volatile substance abuse training.

The courses were run on 16 June in Thurso and 17 June in Wick areattracted 40 delegates from the NHS Highland, Highland Council, Northern Constabulary, and the voluntary sector.

Course co-ordinator Robert More, Team Manager with Highland Council's Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross Youth Action Team said: "We are taking a proactive approach to enhance local workers knowledge to help minimise risk to young people. The skills learned will help those who work with young people of 12 to 18 years of age who may be involved in offending behaviour, substance or alcohol misuse."

Robert is also Treasurer of the Caithness Drug & Alcohol Forum, he added: "CDAF is the multi-partnership forum which includes health, social work, police, education, the voluntary and private sector. Through the partnership we are committed to promoting positive change by addressing all aspects of drug and alcohol use in the Highlands."

Marina Clayton, Re-Solv Development Manager for Scotland said: "Many people think that solvent abuse is a problem of the past. It is not. The last Department of Health survey indicated that 1 in 8 young people will try solvents at least once. That one time can and does kill."

She added: "Some think that solvent abuse, if it happens at all, is a problem only in areas of deprivation. It is not. Children of teachers, doctors and police officers have all died. Others consider solvent abuse to be only mildly dangerous. It is not. It is arguably the most immediately dangerous form of substance abuse. Sudden Sniffing Death is
unique to solvent abuse. Around 1 death per week occurs in the UK. The youngest person to die was a 7 year old child in Scotland.

"Around 2000 legitimate products can be abused with the average home containing around 30 such products. Re-Solv commends the local partners in Caithness for taking action to ensure this often overlooked issue is addressed."

For further information on Re-Solve see their website at: www.re-solv.org

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Yesterday : Local Authority

Secret HQ Move: Is Highland Council Chasing Savings or Just Shuffling the Deck?

A storm is brewing behind closed doors at Glenurquhart Road.  Recent private discussions have revealed plans for Highland Council to potentially abandon its historic headquarters and relocate to Great Glen House, the current £13 million base of NatureScot.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

Committee to consider 1 April 2027 start date for Short-Term Let Control Areas

Members of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee will be asked to agree that Short Term Let Control Areas (STLCAs) for Inverness City and Highland Rural come into effect from 1 April 2027.   The recommendation to the Committee follows the decision by Scottish Government Ministers on 26 October 2026 to approve designation of the STLCAs, which are an important tool to manage future loss of housing stock, support sustainable communities and balance housing needs with the visitor economy.  Chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Ken Gowans, said: “Following Scottish Government approval, the Council can now move forward with implementing these STLCAs, which will help us strike a better balance between supporting tourism growth and protecting much-needed housing for local people.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Key decisions made to improve Highland Bereavement Services

Members of the Communities and Place Committee have made key decisions that will improve affordability and choice within Highland bereavement services at Inverness Crematorium; and introduce stronger governance and transparency for charitable funding applications through the crematorium metal recycling scheme.   Members also approved the adoption of a standardised burial management plan across Highland which will ensure compliance with new national burial management legislation.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Council-owned D&E Coaches delivers £700k profit while supporting Highland transport

D&E Coaches has recorded a £700,000 profit after tax in its first full year under Highland Council ownership.   The Council purchased the coach and bus operator in March 2025 to support the ongoing provision of sustainable and reliable transport services across the Highlands.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Abandoned Vehicles Policy approved by Highland Councillors

Members of The Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee have approved a new Policy on Abandoned Vehicles that will provide a framework for investigating, assessing and enforcement against abandoned vehicles across the region.   Chair of Communities and Place, Cllr Graham MacKenzie said: “I welcome this new policy which will help to make a difference in communities where the nuisance of abandoned vehicles arises.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Funding success builds on Highland Council’s commitment to warmer, energy efficient homes

Climate Change Committee Members have welcomed news that The Highland Council has successfully secured external funding in the region of £5.4 million for 2026/27.  This grant funding will support retrofit and decarbonisation programmes for eligible owner occupier, private rented and Council owned houses across the Highlands.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Council to commission independent review of licensing

Members of The Highland Council have today approved the commissioning of an independent external review of the Council’s licensing arrangements following a Council motion approved on 17 September 2026.   The review will consider governance, decision-making processes and opportunities for improvement.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

Additional school in-service days agreed - Helping teachers prepare for major curriculum changes

Local councils will be able to request up to two extra in-service days this academic year, so that teachers can prepare for the most significant curriculum changes in more than a decade.   The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) which brings together the Scottish Government, local authority body COSLA, and teaching unions has agreed up to two additional in-service days, which will form part of multi-year support for implementation of the updated curriculum.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

The Payday Heist: Why Your Payroll System Might Be a Fraudster’s Easiest Target

Imagine a dedicated employee logs into their bank account on payday, only to find it completely empty.  When they contact HR, the records show their salary was successfully processed but sent to an entirely different bank account.  

5/11/2026 : Local Authority

Paper Targets vs. Human Crises: The Reality of the Highland Housing Strategy

The Highland Council’s newly unveiled Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2027–2032 paints a glossy, optimistic picture of the region's future.   It promises a steady pipeline of 700 affordable homes a year, framed alongside a booming £10–£16 billion "Growth Deal" linked to green freeports and renewable energy expansion.