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

are due to the fact that inhalants as a category <strong>of</strong> substances are not easily
or routinely screened for, not inquired about, and, possibly because <strong>of</strong>
embarrassment, not even reported by patients or associates.
ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY
Given the hidden, stigmatized, and illegal nature <strong>of</strong> drug using and
selling, ethnographic study <strong>of</strong>ten yields insights that are not gathered
easily by other research methods. Nevertheless, aspects <strong>of</strong> inhalant use
make even ethnographic strategies difficult to use.
OASAS, for example, has maintained a Street Studies Unit for more than
15 years. This unit consists <strong>of</strong> several men and women—African-
American, white, and Hispanic—who have had a history <strong>of</strong> drug abuse.
Much <strong>of</strong> their job entails the use <strong>of</strong> observation and semistructured
interviewing at the major drug copping areas throughout New York City.
Over the years, they have identified trends in the availability and patterns
in the use <strong>of</strong> cocaine, heroin, marijuana, hallucinogens, and a variety <strong>of</strong>
psychoactive prescription drugs. Most inhalants, especially glue,
solvents, and gasoline, are available through legal channels and are not
sold at drug-copping sites and, therefore, are difficult to observe.
However, there are tell-tale sequelae that members <strong>of</strong> the Street Studies
Unit have observed in recent years that do indicate some inhalant activity.
This involves, most recently, cartridges <strong>of</strong> nitrous oxide found in the
street. These cartridges are available in head shops or paraphernalia
shops, as well as department stores, selling for less than $5.00 for a box
<strong>of</strong> 10. They have been popular in Greenwich Village and can be found
around colleges located in the City. Otherwise, the Street Studies Unit
has had little contact with inhalant users around town.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF
RESEARCH
Obviously, many ways in which epidemiologic research is carried out do
not yield sufficient data for tracking and gathering meaningful information
on inhalant use and abuse. Improvement and change surely can
take place. Improvements can be made in research methods currently in
use, as well as in the pursuit <strong>of</strong> some new and innovative approaches that
may be more suitable to this and, perhaps, other categories <strong>of</strong> drug use.
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