Impact of Inhalant Use Impact of Inhalant Use in Venezuelain Venezuela

Elvia Amesty, MGScElvia Amesty, MGSc

Jose Felix Ribas FoundationJose Felix Ribas Foundation

IntroductionIntroductionIn Venezuela, epidemiological data In Venezuela, epidemiological data

demonstrates:demonstrates: A continued increase in legal and A continued increase in legal and

illegal drug use during adolescenceillegal drug use during adolescence A decrease in the age of first useA decrease in the age of first use Increase in the incidence of Increase in the incidence of

substance use among youthsubstance use among youth

Inhalant Use in VenezuelaInhalant Use in Venezuela Three aspects must be considered:Three aspects must be considered:

1. 1. Data from drug use in high school Data from drug use in high school studentsstudents

2. Data from drug use in risk groups2. Data from drug use in risk groups

3. Data from drug abusers in treatment3. Data from drug abusers in treatment

High School StudentsHigh School Students Epidemiological study completed with Epidemiological study completed with

secondary students in Zulia Statesecondary students in Zulia State To evaluate drug use prevalence, onset age To evaluate drug use prevalence, onset age

and risk factorsand risk factors Data were collected from private and public Data were collected from private and public

schoolsschools Age:12 -17 yearsAge:12 -17 years Years: 1996-2000-2002-2004Years: 1996-2000-2002-2004 Drug Use Screening Inventory (DUSI)Drug Use Screening Inventory (DUSI) The same methodology was utilized across The same methodology was utilized across

all yearsall years

Source: Amesty et al (2005)

Age of Onset in StudentsAge of Onset in Students

11 12 13 14 15

Age

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ol

Tob

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Cocain

e

Source: Amesty et al (2005)

Lifetime Prevalence in High School StudentsLifetime Prevalence in High School Students

Drug 1996N=1015

2000N=1354

2002N=1283

2004N=1205

Alcohol 47.2 50.1 58.7 60.7

Tobacco 11.7 10.5 10.8 11.4

Cocaine 0.6 2.1 2.4 2.62.6

Marihuana 0.7 1.4 1.6 0.9

Inhalants 0.8 1.9 2.3 3.6

Pills 3.8 8 7.3 6.9

Inhalant use lifetime prevalence has been Inhalant use lifetime prevalence has been increasing since 1996 to 2004increasing since 1996 to 2004

Source: Amesty et al (2005)

Comparative Study in High School StudentsComparative Study in High School Students A research conducted in some central and A research conducted in some central and

south American countries by Organization south American countries by Organization of American States (OAS,2003)of American States (OAS,2003)

Standardized Methodology (similar ages, Standardized Methodology (similar ages, questionnaire, grade levels and analysis)questionnaire, grade levels and analysis)

Countries: Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, Countries: Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, Panama, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Panama, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Venezuela.Venezuela.

Students with 13,15 and 17 yearsStudents with 13,15 and 17 years Public and private secondary schoolsPublic and private secondary schools

Source: CICAD/OAS (2003) Comparative Study of Drug Use in American CountriesCICAD/OAS (2003) Comparative Study of Drug Use in American Countries

Inhalant Use PrevalenceInhalant Use Prevalence

Venezuela has the highest last month Venezuela has the highest last month prevalence and actual use of inhalants as prevalence and actual use of inhalants as compared to the other countriescompared to the other countries

Drug Use in Risk GroupsDrug Use in Risk Groups

Research conducted Zulia StateResearch conducted Zulia State Data were collected from 1205 Data were collected from 1205

students, 100 street youths, 100 youth students, 100 street youths, 100 youth offenders and 35 addicts offenders and 35 addicts

Age: 12-17 yearsAge: 12-17 years Instruments: The Psychological Instruments: The Psychological

Dysregulation Inventory previously Dysregulation Inventory previously standardized in Venezuelan populationstandardized in Venezuelan population

Source:Murelle&Amesty(2003)(2003)

Onset Age on Drug Use in Risk GroupsOnset Age on Drug Use in Risk Groups

Onset age of inhalants in street youth (11y) is the Onset age of inhalants in street youth (11y) is the lowest as a compared to the other groups and this lowest as a compared to the other groups and this difference was statistically significant difference was statistically significant

Inhalant lifetime prevalence in street youths and Inhalant lifetime prevalence in street youths and offenders was the same (6%) and 20% in addictsoffenders was the same (6%) and 20% in addicts

0 5 10 15 20

Street youth

YouthOffenders

Addicts

Cocaine Marihuana Inhalants

*

Drug Abusers in TreatmentDrug Abusers in Treatment

In the general treatment populationIn the general treatment population cocaine cocaine and marihuana are the drugs for which and marihuana are the drugs for which patients request treatmentpatients request treatment

It appears that the inhalant use may not be It appears that the inhalant use may not be a critical issue, because only 1% reported a critical issue, because only 1% reported actual use of this drugactual use of this drug

Source:Amesty&Díaz(2004); (2004); CONACUID,2004CONACUID,2004

Drug Abusers in TreatmentDrug Abusers in Treatment

Requests for treatment for vulnerable Requests for treatment for vulnerable youths have increased and they have a youths have increased and they have a different drug use patterndifferent drug use pattern

Information from de 91 drug abusing Information from de 91 drug abusing teenagers treated during 2004 indicated teenagers treated during 2004 indicated that 12% reported actual inhalant use that 12% reported actual inhalant use (Youth Program)(Youth Program)Source:Amesty et al

ConclusionConclusion

Inhalant is the first drug of use by studentsInhalant is the first drug of use by students Inhalant use lifetime prevalence have been Inhalant use lifetime prevalence have been

increasing in studentsincreasing in students Venezuelan students have the highest past Venezuelan students have the highest past

month prevalence and actual use of inhalants as month prevalence and actual use of inhalants as compare to other American countries compare to other American countries

Age of onset of inhalant in street youth was Age of onset of inhalant in street youth was lower than youth offenders and addicts lower than youth offenders and addicts

Inhalant use in general treatment population and Inhalant use in general treatment population and youth treatment group is different youth treatment group is different

Thanks