The mother of an Angus man addicted to inhaling lighter gas fluid says her son’s actions are ruining her life.
The Brechin woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, contacted The Courier after being left feeling “alone” in dealing with her 29-year-old son’s problem.
Traumatised by his battle with addiction, the crestfallen parent revealed he only became hooked on inhaling gas after she helped him kick heroin.
Admitting that the stress of trying to help him regain his life has led to her attempting to take her own life twice, the mum insists that more has to be done to help people who partake in substance abuse.
She explained: “My son, who is 29, has had drug problems for 15 years now.
“At one point he was on heroin but after a short spell in jail, after throwing idiots out of his house and taking him back to live with me, I got him off it.
“But he still smokes hash and buzzes lighter gas. I can live with the hash, but not the gas. He can get quite aggressive and I will admit I am scared of him.
“He can buzz up to three tins a day, but with the help of the local police we went round the shops in Brechin and explained to shop owners that he had a problem and asked them not to sell him gas.
“But a certain shop still does it. I suppose it is just a way to make money, but maybe they wouldn’t if they had a death on their hands.”
She continued: “It’s not only me who suffers, it’s the whole family. I don’t want to kick my son out, but I feel stuck. I’ve tried to take my life twice and am due to start psychotherapy next week.
“I do get help from Angus Carers, but I feel on my own. I need help.”
The under-pressure mum is now determined to shine a light on an issue she feels still doesn’t get enough attention.
She said: “Some people that buzz the gas don’t realise what they are doing to their body and minds.
“Parents who don’t know about this substance need to know that it can kill. Maybe with help and with social work and The Courier we can try and set up a support group.”
Dave Barrie, of Dundee-based drugs charity Addaction, said: “Solvent abuse can have the highest risk of sudden death and for some people if they use solvents once it can kill them.”