majority of these Glue sniffing children are orphans and runaway children, who earn their livelihood by cleaning cars at busy business centres, or work as child labours or “scavengers”. Glue sniffing has become an opiate of choice among these children, especially among those aged between 10-15 years.
They use “Samad Bond”, a kind of home made glue used for binding leather, rubber, textile, and wood or glass — by spreading it on a piece of cloth, rolling it and then start inhaling, which makes them snooze. The side effects are more dangerous than those of cannabis and other drugs. “After inhaling the glue, sometimes we do not feel pain even when one cuts himself or herself.
Sheraz,a street child
“I got the habit from runaway children who live at Data Darbar in Lahore,” said 13-year-old boy, Maqbool. Once he developed breathing problems, he returned home where he quitted glue sniffing, he added. Another boy, Imran (15) said he ran away from his home because his father always beat him, and he started cleaning up cars to survive. He said it was the only source of his income. “We collectively buy a jar of Samad Bond and then use it,” he added.
Glue, benzene, gasoline, varnish thinner, lighter fluid and aerosol belong to a group of volatile hydrocarbons and petroleum derivatives that were still being used for addiction, particularly by people working at garages and petrol stations.
Medical reports say that Glue sniffing could cause dangerous side effects on behaviour, such as euphoria, slurred speech, hallucination and psychosis. The habit could also damage brain, lever, kidneys, heart and myocardium. If it is daily used over a period of six months it could cause permanent brain damage.
Though our country has laws to combat drug abuse, but not as yet formulated laws to combat glue sniffing. There is an urgent need to address this problem before it addicts many more children.
Glue, benzene, gasoline, varnish thinner, lighter fluid and aerosol belong to a group of volatile hydrocarbons and petroleum derivatives that were still being used for addiction, particularly by people working at garages and petrol stations.
Medical reports say that Glue sniffing could cause dangerous side effects on behaviour, such as euphoria, slurred speech, hallucination and psychosis. The habit could also damage brain, lever, kidneys, heart and myocardium. If it is daily used over a period of six months it could cause permanent brain damage.
Though our country has laws to combat drug abuse, but not as yet formulated laws to combat glue sniffing. There is an urgent need to address this problem before it addicts many more children.
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