Inhalant Abuse: A Volatile Research Agenda, 129

other population variables in these locations could reveal factors that protect
people from the use of solvents. The need for methodological consistency is
obvious.
Studies of minority or ethnic populations should be designed to avoid broad
labels that may obscure important differences among subgroups. For instance,
in studies of Hispanic populations in the United States, it is important
to distinguish between Mexican Americans, Spanish Americans, Cubans,
Puerto Ricans, and other Latinos from Central and South America. Existing
data show that there are significant differences between these groups in drug
use behavior. Cognizance of these types of distinctions will lead to more
precise and usable information.
A common terminology is needed for what is meant by “inhalant abuse.”
The lack of such conventions has hampered research in this field and has led
to conflicting findings. It is recommended that the term “volatile substance
abuse” be reserved for abuse of industrial solvents, or alternately, substances
containing volatile hydrocarbons and that the use of other substances that are
inhaled be excluded from this category (e.g., nitrites, anesthetics, and powdered
stimulants that are used intranasally). The term “volatile solvent use”
should be used for less serious patterns that do not lead to physiological or
behavioral problems (e.g., patterns of experimentation or brief episodic use).
More information is needed on the nature of episodic outbreaks of solvent
use.
Although the majority of users during these outbreaks are not at risk, little is
known about the possible effect on vulnerable individuals. Do outbreaks lead
to volatile substance abuse for certain people where it otherwise would not
have occurred? What are the dynamics of episodic patterns? How is knowledge
of use and use itself transmitted? Does publicizing an outbreak lead to
more widespread use? How can outbreaks be managed without exacerbation
of the problem?
What types of solvents are most commonly used?
Current research does not adequately assess the preference for different types
of solvents. Knowledge in this regard could be helpful in determining the
motivations to use solvents and could also be used to guide commercial regulation
of the more popular or dangerous substances.
35