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

esponsible for inhalant use among high-risk youth. There also is a need
to train a cadre <strong>of</strong> researchers that are capable <strong>of</strong> conducting sound
quantitative and qualitative research studies on the problem <strong>of</strong> drug use in
Bolivia. The data from this research can be utilized to develop more
effective and efficient drug treatment and prevention programs geared
toward addressing the growing inhalant problem in Bolivia.
CONCLUSION
The findings from the data reported in this chapter suggest that many
street youth are exposed to multiple risk factors that affect their drugusing
behaviors. These include having to join the labor force at a very
early age, living in poverty, and existing in an environment where there
are few opportunities for upward mobility. The findings also indicate
that the problen: <strong>of</strong> inhalant abuse facing Bolivia is a serious one. With
10 percent <strong>of</strong> street youth using inhalants, Bolivia has a difficult and
potentially explosive social problem that could overwhelm its social and
health care systems. Of even more concern is the number <strong>of</strong> youth who
are at risk <strong>of</strong> using inhalants and other drugs in Bolivia. Approximately
80 percent <strong>of</strong> all Bolivian youth are at risk <strong>of</strong> becoming serious inhalant
or drug abusers.
Despite the progress made to address the problem <strong>of</strong> inhalant abuse
among street children in Bolivia, little continues to be done by the public
sector to address this growing problem. The Bolivian Government
continues to treat the problem <strong>of</strong> inhalant use as criminal issue rather than
a social and health care problem. To change this view <strong>of</strong> the problem,
those who are in positions <strong>of</strong> power within the Bolivian society need to
be educated about the causes and consequences <strong>of</strong> inhalant use and other
drugs. However, the education <strong>of</strong> those who are in positions <strong>of</strong> power
will depend on the further development <strong>of</strong> empirical information on the
extent and nature <strong>of</strong> the inhalant abuse problem in Bolivia.
Thus, the development <strong>of</strong> further research on this topic and the training <strong>of</strong>
drug abuse researchers in Bolivia is critical to the development <strong>of</strong>
effective policies, strategies, and programs to address the serious problem
<strong>of</strong> inhalant use. Steps to develop a sound empirical base for
understanding the problem <strong>of</strong> inhalant abuse must be undertaken as soon
as possible. Failure to do so could jeopardize whatever progress has been
made so far in addressing this problem in Bolivia.
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