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

number usually is advertised in telephone directories and inserts in
telephone bills. If, however, this nonintimidating information line that
maintains anonymity for the caller were to be advertised for children, it
might yield a whole range <strong>of</strong> concerns, including indications <strong>of</strong> inhalant
use.
In view <strong>of</strong> the fact that users <strong>of</strong> different types <strong>of</strong> inhalants appear to be
very different (e.g., users <strong>of</strong> volatile solvents versus users <strong>of</strong> nitrites) with
very different motives for use and different demographic characteristics,
more use <strong>of</strong> focus groups might be helpful. The convening <strong>of</strong> several
different focus groups might help to clarify conceptions <strong>of</strong> inhalant abuse
and point to epidemiologic cues that, in turn, might provide more basic
insights and suggest indicators to be monitored.
The several focus groups might start from the type <strong>of</strong> inhalant used.
On one hand, there are the cheap, readily available volatile solvents,
including gasoline, paint thinner, toluene, and aerosol sprays. On the
other hand, there are amyl/butyl nitrites and nitrous oxide, which are
more expensive and less accessible. Immediately, the types <strong>of</strong> users
differ. Users <strong>of</strong> the cheap, readily available inhalants are likely to be
youngsters, between the ages <strong>of</strong> 11 years and 13 years, typically in the
initial phases <strong>of</strong> drug use; indigent inhalant-abusing adults; and destitute
“street” youth in villages and urban slums throughout the world. In
contrast, users <strong>of</strong> the more expensive and less accessible inhalants are
likely to be medical and dental pr<strong>of</strong>essionals who may use nitrous oxide
to relieve stress, as well as male adolescents and homosexual males who
use nitrites as sexual enhancers. The areas <strong>of</strong> inquiry might include:
Users’ preferences for inhalants and the full range <strong>of</strong> associated
effects,
Relative status <strong>of</strong> the inhalant vis-à-vis other classes <strong>of</strong> drugs used,
Situational context <strong>of</strong> use and subcultural norms, and
Perceptions <strong>of</strong> risk and harm.
Although it is not clear how representative these groups are <strong>of</strong> the larger
universe <strong>of</strong> inhalant users, the findings might clarify the motives and
consequences <strong>of</strong> use and suggest epidemiologic ways <strong>of</strong> monitoring
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