solvent-abuse-pakistan

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Section one and abandoned children whose parents have died because of illness or war or for whom it was simply impossible to look after their children”. They live, breath in the air poisonous for their survival but they find relieve in it. Their social or economical state compels them to involve in anti-social activities and they suffer critically due to drug and sexual abuse or similar other harmful factors. These children are deprived of the essential relationship with vital societal institutions that traditionally provide sources of support and ensure an individual's well being and happiness in society. They are at alarmingly high risk for a myriad of physical and psychological problems as a result of both the circumstances that preceded their homelessness, and as a direct consequence 2. of life on the streets The United Nations estimates around 100- 3 140 million street children world wide. Out of these only 20 million children live on the street around the clock without their families. In South America at least 40 million, in Asia 25 million, in Africa 10 million and in Eastern and Western Europe approximately 25 million children and youth live on the street 4,5 . It is estimated that approximately 90 percent of street children in Central America sniff glue. Considering the situation in South Asia it is revealed that almost every country of this region suffers the same dilemma. In India, 18 million children have been reported to live or work on the streets of urban India, labouring as porters at bus or railway terminals; as mechanics in informal auto-repair shops; as vendors of food, tea, or handmade articles; as street tailors; or as rag pickers, picking through garbage and selling usable materials 7 to local buyers . In Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka the issue is critically reported, due to illiteracy and deprivation of basic needs the 8 countries face the identical problem . Pakistan, which has a population of 140 million, is no different from other South Asian countries as its urban settings portray the same bleak picture. The situation is worse in its biggest Metropolis city, Karachi that is home to more than 10,000 street living 9 children. The course of researches revealed many disturbing facts about these children. They brave extreme weather conditions and live in an extremely battered environment, exposed to any eventuality that comes their way. They usually form groups to protect themselves from exploitation and abuse, which is common in street culture. Their gang leaders are usually older boys who abuse them in return for ensuring their safety . The gang leader who arranges for their meals and for their favourite distractions, (these children have been found addicted to a number of toxicants, including substances and chemicals) keeps whatever these children earn. These children are facing not only the scarcity of resources but are living under noisy, dirty, unsafe and impersonal environment which leads to frustration because their goals related to Subjective Well Being( SWB) are thwarted or blocked. Street children are those who are least able to protect themselves. In almost every aspect of their lives; they are subject to unconscionable violence, most often perpetrated by the very individuals charged with their safety and well being. This frustration leads to the feelings of hostility towards its source. But single handily they cannot achieve what they desire thus attach with similar others on the principle of reciprocity of liking. As being a part of group not only social but also emotional needs can be meet. Thus they become a staunch member and do whatever others do. This could be an explanation for their association with gang-crime which in turn build their courage to be involved in criminal activities and solvent/drug abuse. 2 3
Section one 1.2 Solvent Abuse Defining Solvent Abuse has proven to be a far more arduous task than it has been for most other drugs. In broader terms solvent abuse or more accurately called Volatile Substance Abuse (VSA) has been defined as the “deliberate inhalation of gases, chemical fumes or vapours for mind-altering and recreational purposes in order to get a “high” similar to the intoxication produced by alcohol”. Solvents are chemicals that change from liquid form into gases or vapours at ordinary room temperatures. Their abuse potential is directly related to their ability to produce intoxication and repeated abuse may result in psychological dependence or other harmful health effects. The prevalence and public health effects of volatile substance abuse are often underestimated and local knowledge of the phenomenon is inadequate. The wide range of organic solvents available in many common products further complicates the situation. Compounds such as diethyl ether, chloroform and nitrous oxide have been deliberately inhaled for recreational purposes since the early 1800s. Solvents from adhesives such as glues, (notably toluene), typewriter correcting fluids and thinners (1,1,1- trichloroethane), hydrocarbons such as those found in cigarette lighter refills [forms of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), largely butane], aerosol propellants, halocarbon fire extinguishers and gases such as nitrous oxide are among the compounds or products which may be abused in this way. Petrol and its byproducts (gasoline) as well as Acetone (propanone) have also been reported to be abused, especially in developing communities. While the inhalation of volatile substances for mind-altering and recreational purposes is a long-standing problem in the developed world, the phenomenon appears to be of a recent origin in most countries in Asia and the Pacific region. Research has shown that VSA is primarily an adolescent phenomenon, with the highest levels of prevalence reported among 15 and 16 year olds. VSA gives rise to dose-related effects similar to those of other hypno sedatives. Small doses can rapidly lead to euphoria and other disturbances of behaviour similar to those caused by ethanol (alcohol), and may also induce delusions and hallucinations . 19,20,21,22,23,24. Inhalants can be breathed in through the nose or the mouth in a variety of ways, such as: “Sniffing” or “snorting” fumes from containers; “Bagging”sniffing or inhaling fumes from substances sprayed or deposited inside a plastic or paper bag; “Huffing” from an inhalant-soaked rag stuffed in the mouth; Spraying aerosols directly into the nose or mouth. Inhaled chemicals are rapidly absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream and quickly distributed to the brain and other organs. Research has shown that the chemical substances found in inhalants produce acute effects similar to subanaesthetic concentrations of general anaesthetics, as well as to the effects of classical CNS depressant drugs, such as alcohol and the barbiturates. This is characterized by a rapid high that resembles alcohol intoxication with initial excitation followed by drowsiness, dis-inhibition, lightheadedness and agitation. Nearly all abused inhalants (other than nitrites) produce a pleasurable effect by depressing the CNS. There is evidence that toluene, a solvent found in many commonly abused inhalants including glue, paint and nail polish removers, activates the brain's dopamine system. The dopamine system has been known to play a role in the rewarding effects of many drugs of abuse. Nitrites, in contrast, dilate and relax blood vessels rather than acting as anaesthetic agents. For the anaesthetics, evidence suggests that enhancement of GABAenergic inhibition may be an important cellular target for their acute effects, just as it is for alcohol and 25,26 other depressant drugs. Within minutes of inhalation, the user experiences intoxication along with other effects similar to those produced by alcohol. Alcohol-like effects may include slurred speech, an inability to coordinate movements, euphoria, and dizziness. In addition, users may experience light-headedness, hallucinations, and delusions, e.g., a feeling that they can fly. Because intoxication lasts 4 5
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Page 7 and 8: e felt on use of the solvent drugs.
Page 9: BACKGROUND & INTRODUCTION Section o
Page 13 and 14: RESEARCH & METHODOLOGIES Section tw
Page 15 and 16: Section three involved in providing
Page 17 and 18: Section three from where these chil
Page 19 and 20: Section three Results show that a l
Page 21 and 22: 3.4.3 Effects of Solvent abuse Rese
Page 23 and 24: Section three 3.4.6 Treatment When
Page 25 and 26: Section three 3.6 Magnitude of the
Page 27 and 28: Section four 36 treatment methodolo
Page 29 and 30: REFRENCES Section four Formative o

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