A new survey shows that squatting among young people in Norrbotten is much more common than the authorities previously thought.
Eight percent of the students in year 9 have tested, shows an unpublished survey that TV4 Nyheterna has seen. The figure is twice as high as the national average.
– I am surprised at how disturbing the increase is, says Sofie Levin, chairperson of Young Drug Prevention.
The dangers of intoxicating yourself with propellant from, for example, dry shampoo came into focus in April after a 14-year-old girl died in a school toilet in Luleå. In the city, the city library has previously been forced to lock several toilets after young people repeatedly stayed in the premises.
But the fact that a full eight percent of the students in year 9 in Norrbotten tested surprises those responsible.
The proportion is twice as high as the national average of four percent in the same grade.
How alarming are these numbers?
– It is important to take them seriously. One is one too many, we see the disastrous effects it can have. So we really need to work on it, says Ulrika Nygård, prevention coordinator Luleå municipality.
Several addiction clinics see an increase
A survey conducted by TV4 Nyheterna shows that the problems with boffing are increasing in more places in the country.
Of the 15 addiction clinics that answered the questions, seven state that they have seen increased problems with drug addiction among young people under the age of 18 in the last three years. In Gothenburg and Motala, they have had patients as young as 14 years old. In Östersund, the youngest person who has sought help for boffing has been 13.
The non-profit organization Unga Drogførebyggare is worried about the development and the high numbers in Luleå.
– All the trends with different types of drugs are worrying. But I am surprised at how big the increase is and how many young people lack knowledge about boffining and nitrous oxide. Teaching and spreading of knowledge is required so that we can stop the increase. The young people do not know what consequences they can have for their health both in the short and long term, says Sofie Levin.
Worries about the summer
After the death in April, the municipality of Luleå has directed extra focus on boffing by, among other things, having upper school classes discuss the subject and urging staff to be extra vigilant. But at the same time, a summer holiday is also waiting around the corner.
– There is some concern, but we have community functions such as social administration and parental support open for large parts of the summer, so you can always turn to them as a parent, concludes Ulrika Nygård.