I have been a youth worker for almost 2 years, and in that short period of time, I have seen the first hand, negative, and life-destroying effects of chroming/huffing among young people. I was never aware of chroming/huffing, I genuinely thought that people used deodorant to smell good...but now I see a different side. 

I understand it is a cheap and easy way to get high, a way to mask the trauma/negative feelings, or an escape, but it only takes one time, maybe a few times, before its too late. I know everyone has their own coping strategies, but chroming is extremely dangerous and easily accessible to young people. 

"Chroming is a form of volatile substance abuse involving the inhalation of solvents such as deodorants or other household chemicals to get high. Health professionals have long been concerned about the practice because it can lead to permanent brain damage." (Powell, 2019). Yes, I have met a young person who is brain damaged for life due to chroming. It was not easy to see. Over a long period of time, chroming/huffing, slowly melts your brain, if sudden death doesn't strike first.

Some action has been taken,  for example in some of the big supermarkets such as Woolworths, deodorant cans are now locked up, but we need to do more. I walked into a dollar store yesterday and deodorant cans/hair spray cans/aerosols were all easily accessible on the shelves for an even cheaper price. They need to be locked up and monitored in every shop. 

I am trying to raise further awareness on this issue. I am looking for a change. Can we please sign this petition to get aerosols locked up? Not only in the big supermarkets, but all dollar stores, convenience stores, everywhere.  I am tired of seeing young people destroy their lives with aerosol cans. There are better ways to handle life and life's unpredictable waves.