Doctors paint terrifying picture of chroming’s shocking effects

HEALTH professionals are reiterating the dangers of chroming after the death of two teenagers.

Director of Townsville Hospital Emergency Department, Dr Luke Lawton, said inhaling volatile substances such as deodorants, paint or petrol substances could be particularly devastating for children whose brains are still developing.

“Inhaling volatile substances can deprive the body of oxygen and cause cardiac irregularities which can lead to serious injuries such as hypoxic brain damage, cardiac arrest and can cause death,” Dr Lawton said.

“This can cause acute behavioural disturbances and aggression.”

CEO of Townsville Aboriginal and Islanders Health Services Kathy Anderson said TAIHS’ diversionary program for substance misuse had stopped several years ago.

“Volatile Substance Misuse has always been a significant issue in Townsville,” she said.

“The VSM program wound up a couple of years ago because the model changed and stopped being a VSM program – it became a youth management program.”

Ms Anderson said chroming was just one substance abuse problem and there was a significant gap in support services for young people.

“There is a massive need in Townsville for youth counsel- ling and I think there needs to be a lot more therapeutic services for young people,” she said.

She said there was also a need for after- hours support.

“There are a lot of complex needs and not enough therapeutic services,” she said.

“We are a health service but we don’t have funding for a youth psychological services.”