asked the Minister for Health the number of deaths reported to his Department from solvent abuse during the past 12 months; the plans, if any, the Health Promotion Unit have for a campaign to highlight the dangers of solvent abuse; the finance and resources which have been allocated for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Deaths from Solvent Abuse.
44.
The incidence of solvent-related deaths is not identifiable from the International Classification of Deaths, which is used by the Central Statistics Office. I am aware, however, of newspaper reports of six deaths so far this year.
I believe that the long-term answer to this problem lies in promoting a greater public awareness of the dangers of misusing solvents. Information on solvent misuse has, for some time, been included in an educational programme on drug abuse and this is now under urgent review in the health promotion unit of my Department.
The Child Care Bill, 1988, at present before the House contains a provision to deal with traders who supply solvents to children where they know that the solvents are going to be misused.