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

Unfortunately, the type <strong>of</strong> attention provided by treatment institutions in
the country is segmented in nature; that is, there are hospitals where the
addict is detoxicated, other institutions where pharmacological and
psychiatric treatment is provided, and so on. At the moment, no referral
system is in place, with the result that addicts receive the treatment <strong>of</strong> the
facility in which they are placed instead <strong>of</strong> treatment tailored to patients’
needs. Efforts now are being made to address this situation.
PROGRAMS FOR STREET CHILDREN
The phenomenon <strong>of</strong> working children has been a major problem in
Mexico City and other urban areas <strong>of</strong> the country. Through the years,
various efforts have been made to address the needs <strong>of</strong> these minors.
These children include both “children <strong>of</strong> the street” (children who live in
the streets) and “children in the street” (children who, though living
within the families, work in the streets). The first documented program
for children working in the streets that included as a concern the
prevention <strong>of</strong> inhalations <strong>of</strong> substances was begun in the 1970s.
At this time, the Mexican Center on Studies <strong>of</strong> Drug <strong>Abuse</strong> (CEMEF)
(Leal et al. 1977) conducted longitudinal research <strong>of</strong> minors who made
their living in the streets (i.e., children <strong>of</strong> the street) in a sector <strong>of</strong> Mexico
City traditionally known for the high prevalence <strong>of</strong> violence and
delinquency. The research included a component <strong>of</strong> treatment evaluation
coordinated by CIJ (Leal and Pacheco 1988) that was based on principles
<strong>of</strong> self-determination and token economy. Children were motivated to
stop inhaling and to use their incomes to improve their living conditions.
Other research protocols undertaken by CEMEF and later by the IMP, in
collaboration with the <strong>National</strong> University, evaluated residential and
nonresidential treatment alternatives for inhalers based on social learning
theory (Ayala et al. 1981; Mata 1984).
Governmental organizations traditionally have <strong>of</strong>fered institutionalized
housing for children who for one reason or another cannot live with their
families. They provide housing and school for sons <strong>of</strong> prisoners, victims
<strong>of</strong> abuse, and street children. The last type usually are institutionalized
against their will, convinced by workers, picked up by special cars during
the night, or taken by the police. It is common for them to run away.
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