By Carolyn Quek

FACING a worrying rise in glue-sniffing cases, officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) have asked schools to report students hooked on the habit.

The plan is designed to let the CNB keep tabs on the growing number of teenagers who inhale fumes from toxic chemicals like contact cement.

While some schools already report inhalant abuse cases to the anti-drug agency, many try to manage the problem through their in-house counsellors, said CNB deputy director S. Vijakumar.

'Having a reporting protocol makes it easier for the schools and gives them certainty of what and when to report,' he said.

The CNB said close supervision by officers lowers the chances of a student relapsing.

The push, launched in June, comes as glue sniffing, a scourge from the 1980s, makes a comeback.

In the first half of this year, 352 inhalant abusers were caught, Mr Vijakumar said yesterday. Last year's total was 604, which was an almost fivefold increase over 2005.

Most of those nabbed were teenagers. Their inhalant of choice was usually contact cement, which is used to repair shoes or furniture. A packet costs about $2.

While Mr Vijakumar did not pinpoint a reason for the resurgence, he said peer pressure, boredom and curiosity contribute to inhalant abuse.

Mr Daniel Jesudason, executive director of a Geylang halfway house under the Highpoint Community Services Association, said users are drawn to glue because it is cheaper than drugs such as heroin and Subutex.

'So the next best option which is value for money and will make them very high would be glue-sniffing,' he said.

Inhalant abuse will be the focus of a campaign by the National Council Against Drug Abuse. The drive marks the first time the council has targeted inhalants in its 13-year history.

The campaign and school reporting system are part of the CNB's tougher stance towards inhalant abusers, which began last September.

That was when repeat teenage drug users were placed under CNB's direct supervision. To date, 32 students and school dropouts have gone through counselling and surprise blood tests, among other measures.

Meanwhile, the CNB said its officers have made 250 shop visits to discuss the sale of potential inhalants, especially to young people.

More than 115 shops suspected of carelessly selling inhalants have received warning letters. But the number of shops brought before the courts has been 'very minimal', Mr Vijakumar said.

The CNB said yesterday that 63 per cent of inhalant abusers caught last year were under 20 years old, and most were still in school.

Eighty per cent of abusers are males and almost half of the abusers are Chinese. Malay inhalant abusers came in second at 35 per cent.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Aug 13, 2008.