Death of Tweed teen Bradley Hope after he ‘chromed’ aerosol could see NSW law changes
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When NSW teenager Bradley Hope died after inhaling an aerosol, his mother decided his death would not be in vain.
“We as a society cannot afford to lose one more young life in this way…there must be answers or solutions to prevent this,” Corinne Mair said at an inquest into the accidental death of her 16-year-old son.
Bradley, described as a kind and loyal young man, died in the early hours of December 8, 2019, after using an inhalant with friends during a sleepover in Tweed Heads on the North Shore of New South Wales.
In the first inquest of its kind, NSW State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan on Friday issued sweeping and urgent recommendations to address the trend of inhalant use, known as “volatile substance misuse”.
Ms O’Sullivan recommended that NSW Health organize a round table discussion with the police, education department, paramedics, manufacturers, retailers and youth and community services.
Bradley Hope, described as a kind and loyal young man, died in the early hours of December 8, 2019, after using an inhalant with friends during a slumber party in Tweed Heads on the North Shore.
“The family continues to grieve the loss of Bradley every day,” New South Wales State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan said in her findings, delivered at Byron Bay Court in the inquest into the accidental death. of the 16-year-old in 2019 (pictured). left, Bradley Hope with a friend)
The roundtable should consider a public health campaign, education programs for children and parents, potential legislation related to the sale of inhalants, and increased training for police officers and paramedics.
“The family continues to grieve the loss of Bradley every day,” Ms O’Sullivan said in her findings, broadcast at Byron Bay Court.
“It is hoped that from this inquiry process, the family can take some small consolation, since this process is a step towards reform to prevent another similar tragedy from occurring.”
Ms O’Sullivan also recommended that the Australian Aerosol Association look into the effectiveness of warning labels on containers, while manufacturers should continue to research new and safer products.
The inquest heard that Bradley stopped breathing and turned pale on December 7.
His friends and one of his mothers, who was a nurse, repeatedly tried to revive him, an act that Ms O’Sullivan described as brave.
Paramedics also tried to revive him before he was treated at Tweed Hospital, where he died of heart failure, a complication from inhaling the aerosol.
Experts said in the research that there was no effective data on the prevalence of inhalant use, but one study found that there were 164 deaths between 2000 and 2021, most of them men.
Inhalation of aerosols can have a ‘paint stripping’ effect on the brain and alter heart rhythms, with possible chronic effects such as nerve and organ damage and dementia, the research heard.
Ms O’Sullivan offered her condolences to Bradley’s family, saying his grace and dignity were remarkable.
“It’s very clear how much they loved him and how much they miss him.”
The investigation came after Bradley’s mother pushed for it to be retained, to “prevent another young life like Bradley’s from being lost.”
Ms. Mair believed that her son was unaware of the risks associated with inhaling aerosols.
Ms O’Sullivan offered her condolences to Bradley’s family, saying his grace and dignity were remarkable (Corinne Mair pictured with her son Bradley)
Inhalation of aerosols can have a ‘paint stripping’ effect on the brain and alter heart rhythms, with possible chronic effects such as nerve and organ damage and dementia, the research heard.
“Literally for him it was him and his teammates making a foolish decision and it cost him his life,” he said. a current affair in 2020.
Chromium plating or volatile substance misuse (VSM) has killed a dozen young Australians since 2009, the abc saying.
Sarah MacLean, from La Trobe University, said at the inquiry last October that chrome had become a trend, but its use was far from glamorous.
“They look like a gutter drug, the bottom of the barrel,” said Dr. MacLean.
There is a lot of shame involved. There’s certainly a lot of stigma around VSM as you get older.’