Maryland Study Shows Inhalant Use Rising

An Oceanside, Maryland survey shows that while the percent of students using some drugs has decreased, inhalant use is still on the rise. Here are some of the statistics presented for 7th grade students, showing usage compared to the study results of 2001:

• Alcohol use is down, from 32% to 30%.
• Marijuana use is up, from 12% to 13%.
• Inhalant use showed the greatest increase, from 13% to 16%.

About 70% of the students participated in the anonymous survey. 11th graders showed the most drastic decrease in drug and alcohol use, but the inhalant results for that age group weren't disclosed in the articles. Randi Gibson, director of student support services, attributes the decrease in use to the school district's prevention programs.

After talking to Jim Shirley, a program specialist at Oceanside, we have more detailed results of the survey. Here are the two questions asked about inhalant use and their responses, according to grade and year.

1. During your life, did you ever use inhalants?

5th grade:

• 2001 - 4%
• 2003 - 3%
• 2005 - 5%
• 2007 - 4%

9th grade:

• 2001 - 19%
• 2003 - 14%
• 2005 - 18%
• 2007 - 15%

11th grade:

• 2001 - 14%
• 2003 - 12%
• 2005 - 13%
• 2007 - 14%

2. In the past thirty days, did you use inhalants?

5th grade: (not given)

7th grade:

• 2001 - 4%
• 2003 - 6%
• 2005 - 7%
• 2007 - 8%

9th grade:

• 2001 - 9%
• 2003 - 5%
• 2005 - 6%
• 2007 - 3%

11th grade:

• 2001 - 3%
• 2003 - 4%
• 2005 - 3%
• 2007 - 3%