THE shocking discovery of discarded glue bags at an Ilkley beauty spot raises the frightening spectre of youngsters hazarding their lives in search of cheap thrills.

Volatile substance sniffing really is the bottom end of the substance abuse scale, carrying a terrifying hazard for such little reward. The 'high' associated with the activity is negligible compared to other illegal drugs, yet three times more young people are likely to die from sniffing than from smoking or even injecting other drugs, according to Home Office figures.

Sometimes parents can just hope that their children will have more sense than to take part in such activities. But all children at some point in their lives like to experiment, especially with forbidden activities. It is generally acknowledged that drugs, particularly soft drugs such as cannabis and amphetamine, are a universal problem and not just confined to inner city areas. They affect Ilkley, Addingham and the rest of Wharfedale just as they affect areas of Bradford such as West Bowling, Holme Wood and Manningham.

But the practice of inhaling fumes from volatile substances is not generally associated with affluence and success. Even if the Cow and Calf glue sniffers come from outside Ilkley, it is still a worrying example that local children should be dissuaded from imitating.

We can never totally prevent our children from sniffing glue or solvents but police can warn local shopkeepers to be careful what they are selling to youngsters. And all parents can make sure their children are vividly aware of the risks to health and well-being involved.