Epidemiology of Inhalant Abuse - Archives - National Institute on ...

The conduct <strong>of</strong> consumers <strong>of</strong> inhalants who become pregnant is alarming,
since the majority continued consumption during gestation, and a high
percentage (24.6 percent) even increased use.
However, it is important to point out that there are a number <strong>of</strong>
limitations in this study that may affect the results reported. Most
importantly, this survey does not include children younger than 12 or
children living in the streets in urban or rural areas. As previous studies
on inhalant use had showed, the highest prevalence <strong>of</strong> inhalant use is
among street children. For example, a recent study on the drug-using
behavior <strong>of</strong> children living in the streets found inhalants to be the
preferred drug <strong>of</strong> the youth interviewed (Knaul and Castillo, in press;
Lozano 1990).
Additional research that would explore those factors that expose or
protect individuals from the use <strong>of</strong> inhalants is needed. Particularly,
ethnographic studies that focus on collecting data on children living in the
streets, as well as studies <strong>of</strong> pregnant women who use inhalants, are most
needed. The results from these ethnographic studies then could be
utilized to develop longitudinal and case control studies that will explore
this issue in more depth. Finally, research that evaluates the effectiveness
<strong>of</strong> prevention education programs also is needed. This development <strong>of</strong>
information on inhalant abuse is an integral part <strong>of</strong> the Colombian
Government’s efforts to deal with the drug problem in that country. This
effort should involve creating a strategy that deals with drug use, not only
as a law enforcement problem but as a public health problem that requires
the development <strong>of</strong> data sources that could be utilized to develop more
effective drug prevention and treatment programs (Dirección <strong>National</strong> de
Estupefacientes 1993).
REFERENCES
Dirección <strong>National</strong> de Estupefacientes, Ministerio de Justicia, Colombia.
“Política Colombiana para la Superación de1 Problema de la Droga,”
1993.
Estupiñán, D.E. Encuesta Nacional sobre Conocimientos, Attitudes y
Practicas en Salud, 1986-1989: Sustancias Sicoactivas: Escala de
Riesgo. Bogotá Ministerio de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud,
Imprenta INS, 1990.
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