Crackdown on chroming

By Sarah Schwager
A CHROMING action plan is on the cards in Greater Dandenong as organisations from around the area come together to look at ways to address various drug issues.
The Dandenong Drug Action Committee, which includes representatives from the council, police, Southern Health, the Migrant Resource Centre and Dandenong Retail Traders’ Association, met last week to discuss drug action plans.
In particular the committee looked at the issue of chroming, and strategies implemented by other councils to tackle chroming, such as the City of Casey, which has locked up displays for certain sprays in retail stores.
Chroming is the practise of concentrating and inhaling certain chemicals, often found in spray cans.
Committee member Chris Walters said the committee was examining many ways of tackling the drugs issue.
“A prohibition of any substance hasn’t been effective,” Mr Walters said.
“We’ve got to take a broader approach to educate the community, including retailers.
“Sometimes the response is a little bit simplistic. Our response will be far greater than locking up products.”
Mr Walters said despite concerns about chroming, there were other drug issues to worry about.
“At the end of the day, a big concern is the issue of binge drinking among young people, which continues to be addressed,” he said.
“Just because it is more socially acceptable doesn’t mean it is any less dangerous.”
Youth Substance Abuse Service (YSAS), Dandenong, manager Ipsita Roy said it was important to address the fact that only a small percentage of the drugusing population chromed.
“It’s not an issue like alcohol or tobacco,” she said. “But it is quite a horrific thing to see.”
Ms Roy said locking up certain inhalants was not the answer.
“We need to look at it from a threepronged approach,” she said.
“By locking them away it is possible they will chrome things that are more dangerous.”
Mr Walters said that compared to five years ago, drug services were much better, with schools, police, council and other community organisations working more collaboratively.
He said the Dandenong Drug Action Committee was helping provide more of a coordinated response.
“As a result we are able to access a lot more young people out there.”
Committee member Roy Aspinal said the committee planned to set up a range of meetings to help educate retailers that sold inhalers about the issue.
City of Greater Dandenong drugs and community safety officer Robyn Freestone said the committee would hold talks with other councils, such as Casey, to get an idea of how their chroming plans had worked.
She said the committee planned to have a forum in April next year to address various strategies. The next meeting is planned for 14 December.