Getting key agencies and community members together to talk about the issue is the first step.

Forming an action group with other people who are also concerned about VSU is the starting point to getting broader community support for action. Start with a few committed people and then work towards getting more people involved as needed.

Suggested group members include those who work directly with people who use volatile substances and those who have a role in dealing with issues related to VSU.

For example:

• Key community members/local Aboriginal Elders
• Local Community Alcohol and Drug Service (CADS) or other alcohol and other drug agency
• Health agencies/Aboriginal community-controlled health organisations
• Local police
• Department for Communities - Child Protection
• Department of Justice - Youth Justice Services
• Local schools
• Road Safety and Drug Education Branch (Department of Education)
• Youth agencies
• Local government
• National Indigenous Australians Agency 
• Other relevant Commonwealth and State Government agencies
• Other relevant service providers, organisations or community members.

There may be an already established interagency group that includes some or all the above agencies. In smaller towns or communities where there are fewer service providers, the group may only consist of a few key community members.

It is important to gain clarity on the following: the extent of the problem; resources needed to address the problem; and what has worked in other communities. This information will help to develop the most effective response to the issue.

The problem

Identify and describe the problem and the reasons for the problem. The information gathered needs to answer the following questions:

• What is the extent of the issue?
  • how many people are using volatile substances?
  • what volatile substances are they using?
  • where are they using?
  • when are they using?
  • how often are they using?
  • where do they access the products (purchased, stolen or from home)?
  • how old are they?
  • are they male/female?
  • who are they?
• What are the problems caused by the VSU?
  • antisocial behaviour (theft, violence, vandalism)
  • community conflict
  • family problems
  • other
• What are the reasons for use?
  • boredom/lack of things to do
  • peer pressure
  • family issues or other problems
  • easy access to volatile substances
  • changes to supply of other drugs
  • arrival of people who use volatile substances into the community
  • other
• Are there particular factors that enable the VSU to occur?
  • a lack of knowledge about VSU within the community, i.e. parents, police, teachers, retailers, contractors, health workers
  • easy to access from shop/homes/industrial sites/contractors/tourists
  • other

When collecting the above information, ensure the confidentiality and privacy of those who are using volatile substances and their families.

Resources

Compile a list of the community’s tools and resources. Consider available resources such as:

• people
• skills
• programs/services
• equipment
• funds

Identify any gaps in the resources available. What else is needed? This Information Gathering template has been developed to assist with this process.

What has worked in other communities

There are a range of strategies that have worked in other communities to respond to VSU. Many of these are documented in the literature, including: Volatile substance misuse: A review of interventions by d’Abbs & MacLean (2008). There are also a number of towns and regions across WA that have implemented VSU strategies. See the Regional response page of this website for more information about what has been implemented in WA. 

It is important to remember that each community is different and that the context of the VSU issue will differ according to factors such as location, culture and access to services. Therefore, the most effective response will be one which is tailored to suit the specific needs and issues of the local community.

Use the information collected in Step 2 to guide the development of a plan for action. This will require the group to decide:

• what will be done
• how it will be done
• who will do what
• when it will be done by.

The actions decided upon by the group should address the problems identified from the information collected. Actions should avoid punishing or further isolating those who use volatile substances from their family or the community and should help link them with services and other supports in the community.

The actions should include a combination of supply reduction, demand reduction and harm reduction strategies.

Supply reduction

• locking up volatile substances making it harder to access
• raising awareness of potential sources of supply i.e. industry or tourists
• replacing unleaded petrol with Low Aromatic Fuel (where applicable)
• community by-laws (where applicable) 

Demand reduction

• education to increase knowledge of families, community members and service providers on how to respond to VSU 
• engagement in alternative activities for young people. For example, recreation, school, employment and training and/or cultural activities

Harm reduction

• outreach visits or night patrols targeting VSU hotspots
• protocols to improve communication between local service providers
• reduce harm with strategies relevant to particular substances being used, the individuals using and the environment where the VSU is taking place

Prioritise the list of actions into:

• short-term - actions that can be implemented simply and/or quickly
• medium-term - actions that can be implemented with some help or training
• long-term - actions that may take longer to implement.

Wherever possible, ensure the community is consulted and involved with the implementation of actions, as community support is key to any effective response.

An Action Plan template has been designed to assist with the development of a plan. The Volatile Substances Program at the Mental Health Commission can also assist with the development of a plan.

Monitoring and evaluating the plan is critical to identifying what has worked well and not so well. It will also highlight actions that may have unintended negative consequences and need to be reviewed.

As VSU tends to be cyclical, it is important to continue with the strategies even when VSU has reduced or ceased. Ongoing implementation of the actions can act as a preventative measure to ensure the VSU does not return to previous levels.