Belfast girl, 11, rushed to intensive care after 'sniffing body spray'
Following what's understood to be a number of similar incidents in the area, a local representative has called for parents and schools to raise awareness of the issue
An 11-year-old girl from Belfast is currently in an intensive care unit following a series of cardiac arrests suspected to have been induced by "sniffing body spray."
Last Friday, the young girl from the north of the city was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital after she went into cardiac arrest twice at her home. The 11-year-old currently remains in ICU.
A local representative has spoken out following the incident on behalf of the family, after it's understood a number of similar incidents have occurred throughout the area recently involving children in secondary school and younger.
"Her mum called me from across the street to help, she was sniffing body spray,” North Belfast Worker's Party representative Fiona McCarthy told Belfast Live. “Her heart froze and she went into cardiac arrest twice.
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"She's still in ICU but I've been told today she's now coming around, but she was very close. Her heart stopped twice when we were with her and the ambulance arrived.
"It was just a normal body spray like you would give to children at that age. I have a 12-year-old daughter myself and it gives me so much anxiety wondering if she's going into school and getting peer pressured."
In Ireland, under the Irish Child Care Act 1991 it is an offence to sell, offer or make available solvents to a person aged 17 or under if there is reasonable cause to believe that they are likely to inhale them, in the UK this is 18. It is also a criminal offence to sell a spray paint device to anyone under 16 in Ireland, the same as in the UK.
"I know of other young children in this area who are sniffing aerosols,” Fiona claimed. “I want to make parents and schools more aware of the issue, but also local shops to not be selling these products to under 18s.
"I just want parents and the whole community to be aware that this is happening. We hear about cocaine and other drugs, but these are in the household, you don't need a drug dealer to buy this - you can get them in any shop. Aerosols are just as dangerous as any drugs."
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service cannot comment on an incident which has taken place at a private residence.
In a statement, the Public Health Agency said: "We would remind parents and guardians to talk to young people about the dangers of taking unknown substances to warn them that taking something when they cannot be sure of the contents could make them seriously ill or even be fatal.
"It is important to advise young people, that regardless of what they have been told, even by a close friend, that it is impossible to know what is contained in these substances.
"The PHA would also emphasise to young people that if they’re with someone who has taken an unknown substance and has become unwell, they need to get them medical help immediately. It might be frightening and they will be scared of getting in to trouble, but they need to look out for their friends, stay with them and get them help – it could save their lives.
"For young people, the risk of using substances is particularly dangerous. Using substances can impact the brain’s ability to function in the short-term as well as prevent proper growth and development for later in life."
The following guidelines were also issued to parents and guardians of children and young adults with respect to solvents:
Do
- Make the first move and bring up the topic of substance use. Don’t wait until there’s a problem before you decide to talk.
- Take time to listen to what young people have to say.
- Respect their views if you want the same in return.
- Discuss the risks associated with substance use.
- Discuss possible consequences of their actions and support them to make the right choices.
- Think about your own behaviours and the influence this can have on young people’s behaviour.
Don’t
- Assume young people don’t want to talk. Not talking to them could be interpreted as your approval of them using substances.
- Assume they already know everything.
- Interrupt or be judgemental, even if you don’t agree with their opinion.
If you think you or someone you know might have a problem with substance use, including issues with alcohol, and would like to get help, please visit the HSE Drugs and Alcohol site here.
Call their confidential freephone helpline on 1800 459 459 from Monday to Friday between 9:30 am and 5:30 pm. Email them at any time on helpline@hse.ie You can email to ask for a callback or opt to leave a voicemail to ask for a callback.
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