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

Solvent <strong>Abuse</strong> Trends in Japan
Hiroshi Suwaki
RECENT TRENDS IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN JAPAN
<strong>National</strong> epidemiologic data from household surveys on substance abuse
are unavailable in Japan. However, the number <strong>of</strong> arrests for substance
control law violations is one <strong>of</strong> the indicators that suggest the magnitude
<strong>of</strong> the problem. Figure 1 presents the number <strong>of</strong> arrests for the violations
against various substance control laws from 1950 to 1988. In the case <strong>of</strong>
organic solvents. persons diverted to treatment also are included in the
number, as most <strong>of</strong> the solvent abusers are under the age <strong>of</strong> 20.
The numbers <strong>of</strong> abuse cases involving marijuana and heroin are relatively
low as reflected in medical emergencies. Only a few cases resulting from
those substances were treated in hospitals in recent years throughout the
country. However, arrests for violations against the Cannabis Control
Law were substantial in number. There is a discrepancy between the
number <strong>of</strong> arrests for Cannabis Control Law violations and the magnitude
<strong>of</strong> resultant social and medical problems. In contrast to marijuana and
heroin, the magnitude <strong>of</strong> abuse <strong>of</strong> organic solvents and methamphetamine
have been uniquely high and continuous since the early 1970s. In 1988,
data compilation methods <strong>of</strong> the <strong>National</strong> Police Agency changed, and
the figure no longer included individuals diverted to treatment for solvent
abuse (figure 2). During the next 2 years, the trend reflects a continuation
<strong>of</strong> the high plateau.
Table 1 shows the number and percentage <strong>of</strong> psychiatric patients with
various types <strong>of</strong> substance abuse problems from 1976 to 1991. In Japan,
stimulant abuse almost exclusively involves methamphetamine. For
unique reasons, cocaine is classified in the same group with morphines,
both legally and administratively. Patients who are treated in psychiatric
hospitals tend to have a long history <strong>of</strong> abuse, become dependent, and
exhibit mental symptoms. Psychiatrists observed an epidemic in
psychiatric hospitals admissions for solvent abuse between the mid- and
late 1970s. In 1976, patients with solvent abuse accounted for 17.7
percent <strong>of</strong> all substance abuse patients. In 1981, the percentage rose to
41.5 percent and still continues at a high level. The proportion <strong>of</strong>
methamphetamine abuse also is around 40 percent, similar to that <strong>of</strong>
solvent abuse (see stimulants on table 1).
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