Woolworths introduces new security feature to address an alarming health concern
- Replies 8
As we reported last week, with the recent increase in reports of "huffing" or "chroming" in Australia, many are praising Woolworths for their proactive measure of locking up spray deodorant cans in glass security cabinets, which has now been confirmed to be implemented at several stores.
TikTok user @randomness_finds was the first to reveal the new measure, posting a video of the store's recent bell feature to the social media platform.
The move comes in response to a growing substance abuse issue in which people inhale the contents of deodorant cans to get high.
Credit: TikTok/@randomness_finds
While some may see this as an inconvenience, the initiative is a necessary one to help prevent the rising health crisis.
Coles and Woolworths have both started locking up their deodorant can supplies in a number of Australian towns as a deterrent following a rise in thefts of the basic grocery item.
A Woolworths spokesperson confirmed that the measure is currently being implemented across a number of stores in Queensland and is expected to be completed by mid-May.
The spokesperson also noted that the move had been made in conjunction with local police.
Woolworths Queensland state manager Danny Baldwin said: “At Woolworths, we want to play our part in reducing the abuse of these products in Queensland.”
“With these new cabinets, we’re hoping to significantly reduce the opportunity for misuse while continuing to offer access to the products where our customers expect to find them [in the health and beauty aisle].”
Woolworths started locking up deodorant in a bid to reduce the cases of “huffing” or “chroming”. Credit: TikTok/@randomness_finds.
Detective Senior Sergeant Peter Lunney, who leads the Brisbane City Child Protection and Investigation Unit, noted that the desk's partnership with Woolworths is a step closer to their aim to "address volatile substance misuse".
“One of the key aims is to reduce harm to our vulnerable youth that are exposed to these volatile substances,” he quipped.
“Woolworths have taken a proactive approach to reduce the supply of products used in volatile substance misuse and the Queensland Police Service look forward to continuing this partnership into the future.”
It should be noted that the initiative is also being rolled out in Woolies stores in the Northern Territory.
Social media users sang their praises for the move, with many suggesting that it should be rolled out in all supermarkets.
One person wrote: “Good step to try and mitigate the chroming crisis. Kids always say it’s so accessible that’s why it’s the best choice.”
“Yep, it’s the same here in the NT! We just have to find a staff member to open glass and it takes ages,” another added.
A third chimed in: “It’s only because those deodorants hold the chemical that makes young kids get high on it.”
Customers need to press the “bell” so a staff member can assist them with getting their hands on some deodorant sprays. Credit: TikTok/@randomness_finds.
Meanwhile, others expressed their disappointment over the fact that supermarkets had to adjust to address this concern, stating that the situation was "insane".
One parent wrote: “So sad … needs to happen in my area. I took my daughter to the park and there was a boy chroming on the swing.”
“Society has still not solved this problem? I remember this being a thing many years ago and forgot it was even a thing,” another quipped.
We commend Woolworths for their efforts to help keep the community safe and hope other retailers will follow suit.
How about you? What are your thoughts on this?
TikTok user @randomness_finds was the first to reveal the new measure, posting a video of the store's recent bell feature to the social media platform.
The move comes in response to a growing substance abuse issue in which people inhale the contents of deodorant cans to get high.
Credit: TikTok/@randomness_finds
While some may see this as an inconvenience, the initiative is a necessary one to help prevent the rising health crisis.
Coles and Woolworths have both started locking up their deodorant can supplies in a number of Australian towns as a deterrent following a rise in thefts of the basic grocery item.
A Woolworths spokesperson confirmed that the measure is currently being implemented across a number of stores in Queensland and is expected to be completed by mid-May.
The spokesperson also noted that the move had been made in conjunction with local police.
Woolworths Queensland state manager Danny Baldwin said: “At Woolworths, we want to play our part in reducing the abuse of these products in Queensland.”
“With these new cabinets, we’re hoping to significantly reduce the opportunity for misuse while continuing to offer access to the products where our customers expect to find them [in the health and beauty aisle].”
Woolworths started locking up deodorant in a bid to reduce the cases of “huffing” or “chroming”. Credit: TikTok/@randomness_finds.
Detective Senior Sergeant Peter Lunney, who leads the Brisbane City Child Protection and Investigation Unit, noted that the desk's partnership with Woolworths is a step closer to their aim to "address volatile substance misuse".
“One of the key aims is to reduce harm to our vulnerable youth that are exposed to these volatile substances,” he quipped.
“Woolworths have taken a proactive approach to reduce the supply of products used in volatile substance misuse and the Queensland Police Service look forward to continuing this partnership into the future.”
It should be noted that the initiative is also being rolled out in Woolies stores in the Northern Territory.
Social media users sang their praises for the move, with many suggesting that it should be rolled out in all supermarkets.
One person wrote: “Good step to try and mitigate the chroming crisis. Kids always say it’s so accessible that’s why it’s the best choice.”
“Yep, it’s the same here in the NT! We just have to find a staff member to open glass and it takes ages,” another added.
A third chimed in: “It’s only because those deodorants hold the chemical that makes young kids get high on it.”
Customers need to press the “bell” so a staff member can assist them with getting their hands on some deodorant sprays. Credit: TikTok/@randomness_finds.
Meanwhile, others expressed their disappointment over the fact that supermarkets had to adjust to address this concern, stating that the situation was "insane".
One parent wrote: “So sad … needs to happen in my area. I took my daughter to the park and there was a boy chroming on the swing.”
“Society has still not solved this problem? I remember this being a thing many years ago and forgot it was even a thing,” another quipped.
We commend Woolworths for their efforts to help keep the community safe and hope other retailers will follow suit.
How about you? What are your thoughts on this?
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