Epidemiology of Inhalant Abuse - Archives - National Institute on ...
Epidemiology of Inhalant Abuse - Archives - National Institute on ...
Epidemiology of Inhalant Abuse - Archives - National Institute on ...
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serious drug use to come and a variety <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> other problem behaviors in the<br />
future (Beauvais 1992; Kandel 1975).<br />
REASONS FOR LIMITED RESEARCH<br />
Despite the existence <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> this compelling knowledge, the current state <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
epidemiologic research into inhalant abuse leaves much to be desired. A<br />
variety <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> reas<strong>on</strong>s may exist for the deficit. The major reas<strong>on</strong>s probably<br />
c<strong>on</strong>cern the fact that inhalant abuse is a relatively hidden phenomen<strong>on</strong><br />
engaged in by those who perhaps are the least vocal and the most disenfranchised,<br />
with c<strong>on</strong>sequences <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> use that are not always interpretable or<br />
easily attributed. In c<strong>on</strong>trast, the abuse <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> other substances such as<br />
alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, cocaine, and heroin surely has dominated the<br />
field <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> research. The numbers <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> users <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> these substances and the<br />
associated medical, social, and criminal c<strong>on</strong>sequences <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> abuse have been<br />
and c<strong>on</strong>tinue to be well documented and are not at all subtle. The focus<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> attenti<strong>on</strong> overwhelmingly is <strong>on</strong> the side <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> these substances, especially<br />
in the United States.<br />
Another reas<strong>on</strong> for the dearth <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> informati<strong>on</strong> probably has to do with a<br />
disdain for the use <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> inhalants—mainly glue, gasoline, paint thinner, and<br />
other solvents. Drug users themselves regard inhalant use as a lowly<br />
behavior with an associated subculture that is unappealing to many.<br />
Passing a rag soaked with paint thinner and sticking <strong>on</strong>e’s face in a paper<br />
bag to sniff glue hardly are behaviors that stir the seas<strong>on</strong>ed drug user; at<br />
the very least, it is c<strong>on</strong>sidered “kid stuff’ (McSherry 1988).<br />
SOME METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES<br />
Irrespective <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the possible reas<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g>fered for the lack <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> informati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
there are specific and objective methodological issues that need to be<br />
addressed if epidemiologic research into inhalant abuse is to be improved.<br />
Using New York State’s three-pr<strong>on</strong>ged research approach to drug abuse<br />
epidemiology as a c<strong>on</strong>text for discussi<strong>on</strong>, the following secti<strong>on</strong>s deal with<br />
methodological issues having to do with: (1) direct populati<strong>on</strong> surveys,<br />
(2) indirect indicators, and (3) ethnographic research.<br />
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