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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CONCLUSION<br />
Unlike other drugs in the United States, there is no evidence that use <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
inhalants is declining am<strong>on</strong>g young people. In fact, it has overtaken<br />
marijuana as the most likely first drug for youth. An accurate understanding<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the extent and nature <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the problem is hampered by methodological<br />
problems. These include the difficulty in defining inhalants precisely and<br />
the unusual sensitivity <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> resp<strong>on</strong>ses to minor differences in survey questi<strong>on</strong>s<br />
about inhalant use. Males are more likely than females to use inhalants up<br />
through about the 6th grade and again after about the 10th grade. During the<br />
seventh to ninth grades, however, there are very small gender differences in<br />
inhalant use.<br />
One major factor c<strong>on</strong>tributing to inhalant use appears to be exposure to poor<br />
socioec<strong>on</strong>omic c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s within a given community. This factor likely<br />
accounts for reported ethnic differences in the rates <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> inhalant use, rather<br />
than any cultural or racial propensity to use inhalants. In additi<strong>on</strong> to<br />
socioec<strong>on</strong>omic distress, increased inhalant use seems to be associated with<br />
lack <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> success in school.<br />
The use <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> inhalants differs from the use <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> other drugs in a number <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
significant ways, with important implicati<strong>on</strong>s for preventi<strong>on</strong> and treatment<br />
programs. As the new gateway drug, it is critical that research and<br />
preventi<strong>on</strong> efforts pay special attenti<strong>on</strong> to the etiology <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> inhalant use.<br />
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