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

toluene, benzene, and hydrocarbons. Furthermore, some chronic abusers
were found to manifest signs <strong>of</strong> mental disorder, electroencephalogram
abnormalities, malignant anemia, brain damage, and violent behavior.
Other associated effects <strong>of</strong> inhalant abuse include accidents and
aggravation <strong>of</strong> other illnesses. Criminal behavior was found to be related
to inhalant abuse. Some social effects include disruption <strong>of</strong> family life
and lack <strong>of</strong> interest in schoolwork and personal hygiene among the users.
Preventive Intervention and Treatment
All countries have indicated great concern about the inhalant abuse
problem. Preventive strategies have been implemented as a means <strong>of</strong>
control, mainly through health education targeted at the young
population. Drug treatment facilities in some countries such as Thailand,
the Philippines, and Singapore have accommodated inhalant abusers.
They include both inpatient and outpatient services. Supervision and
counseling programs are available in most countries. A multidimensional
approach to prevention <strong>of</strong> inhalant abuse that involves various groups and
settings such as schools, the community, and social workers was found to
be an effective means to address the problem.
Some form <strong>of</strong> legislative control <strong>of</strong> inhalant abuse is present in most
countries. However, the degree <strong>of</strong> severity <strong>of</strong> control differs among the
countries.
REFERENCES
Arnold, A.K. “A Study <strong>of</strong> Solvent <strong>Abuse</strong> Awareness in Selected New
Zealand Secondary Schools.” Paper presented to NSAD Summer
School on Alcohol, Drugs and Chemical Dependency, Wellington,
NZ, 1983.
Association <strong>of</strong> Southeast Asian Nations. “Singapore Country Report.”
Report <strong>of</strong> the Tenth Meeting <strong>of</strong> ASEAN Senior Officials on Drug
Matters, September 29-October 3, 1986. Manila: ASEAN Secretariat,
1986. pp 1-10.
Birdling, J. “The Sniffing Problem.” Paper presented at NSAD Summer
School on Alcohol, Drugs and Chemical Dependency, Wellington,
NZ, February 3-5, 1981.
Brady, M. Bibliography: Petrol Sniffing and Other Volatile Solvent
<strong>Abuse</strong> in Australia and Overseas. Canberra, Australia: Alcohol and
Drug Foundation, 1990.
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