Health
Inhalant abuse portends other woes
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 18, 2005
Use of inhalants such as glue or shoe polish by those ages 12 and 13 is an indication of more serious problems down the road, according to a report issued last month by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
The report, "Inhalant Use and Delinquent Behaviors Among Young Adolescents," analyzed data from the 2002 and 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health concluding that teens who used inhalants are six times more likely than nonusers to have stolen or tried to steal items worth more than $50. Members of this group are also three times more likely to grow up to be alcoholics or drug addicts.
Experts are particularly concerned about this phenomenon because of data suggesting this kind of substance abuse is becoming more popular.
"While overall drug use among young people has declined substantially over the past three years, we must not lose focus," said John Walters, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. "Inhalant abuse remains a dangerous and potentially deadly behavior."
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/04/18/hlbf0418.htm.
