Analyses of 109 drug-abusing adolescents indicated that inhalant abusers performed significantly more poorly than polydrug abusers on 20 of 67 neuropsychological measures. Deficits were observed on both global (WAIS and WRAT) and specific measures (perception of speech sounds, visual suppression, sensory perception, and trails). (Author/SJL)

Discusses solvent abuse, or the inhalation of chemically intoxicating vapors from consumer products that are otherwise safe when used as intended. Presents a list of products typically abused by children, the statistics which indicate that this problem is on the rise, and the physical warning signs that parents and teachers should not overlook.…

Describes subject characteristics and research methodology of the study of inhalant use covered in this issue--a 4-year followup of 110 Mexican Americans who had been referred as adolescents to the Austin Youth Advocacy Program for drug abuse prevention/intervention. Contains 20 references. (SV)

Students ages 11-18 years (n=904) were administered the Michigan Alcohol and Other Drugs School Survey to determine level of inhalant use. Lifetime prevalence was 21.3%, with 12.6% reporting past year and 7.1% reporting past month use. Highest lifetime use (28%) was reported by "other" students (Native, Latin, Mexican, and Asian…

This study examined the relationships between social network position and the use of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and inhalants in a sample of 1,119 sixth-grade youth. Social network analyses of peer nominations were used to categorize youth as "members" of social groups, "liaisons" between groups, or social "isolates." The results revealed that…

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) has been widely used as an objective personality test, in addition to being used in forensic assessments, especially involving claims of physical or emotional damage. It now appears that questions must be raised concerning the MMPI's forensic implications given the advent of new disease…

This study of 137 students in grades 6 through 8 found no significant differences between the mean scores of sixth and seventh grade students with and without inhalant allergies on a mathematics concepts subtest, but found that eighth grade students with inhalant allergies performed better than eighth grade students without inhalant allergies.…

Summarizes major findings of interrelated longitudinal studies of 110 Mexican-American adolescent inhalant users. Discusses subject characteristics and educational background, criminality, patterns of drug and alcohol use, reasons for inhalant use, medical and psychological problems, family and peer influences, and an integration prediction model…

A study examined the effects of a combined education and token system intervention to improve adherence to inhaled corticosteroids for an 8-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy with asthma. A withdrawal design demonstrated improved adherence and, for one child, an associated improvement in pulmonary function occurred. (Author/CR)

Objective: To describe the risks and risk factors for substance use initiation and progression among a large sample of American Indian (AI) adolescents. Method: Data came from surveys completed by 2,356 AI adolescents aged 14 to 20 years who participated in two or more consecutive waves of a longitudinal study between 1993 and 1996 (response rate…

Suicide is the leading cause of death in Hong Kong SAR for the youth aged 15?24. This study examined the prevalence of suicidality among secondary school students in Hong Kong using a representative, territory-wide sample of 2,586 students. Suicidal behaviors can be conceptualized as a spectrum of self-destructive behaviors. Cumulative logit model…

Since the mid-1960s, when illicit drug use burgeoned in the normal youth population, substance use by American young people has proven to be a rapidly changing phenomenon. Smoking, drinking, and illicit drug use are leading causes of morbidity and mortality, both during adolescence as well as later in life. How vigorously the nation responds to…

The effects of drug abuse and dependence vary, depending on the type of drug, polydrug use, and characteristics of the user. The influence of genetic, neurochemical, neuropsyiological, sociocultural, and economic factors suggest that the etiology of substance abuse and dependence is multiply determined. Models explaining the causation of substance…

Study identifies and examines prevention resources developed to address the problem of adolescent solvent abuse. Prevention materials were coded according to targeted age group, ethnicity, and media format. Results suggest that specific prevention messages are often used with specific age groups, cultural content, and media formats. (Contains 32…

Objective: Little is known about adolescents with DSM-IV-defined inhalant abuse and dependence. The aim of this study was to compare comorbidity among (1) adolescents with inhalant use disorders, (2) adolescents who reported using inhalants without inhalant use disorder, and (3) other adolescent patients drawn from an adolescent drug and alcohol…