New National Inhalant Data

The results of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health’s “Trends in Adolescent Inhalant Use: 2002 to 2007” were released today at a press conference in Washington, DC.

The report noted:

• In 2007, almost 1.0 million adolescents used inhalants in the past year.
  
• The percentage of adolescents (youths aged 12 to 17) who used inhalants in the past year was lower in 2007 (3.9%) than in 2003 (4.5%), 2004 (4.6%), and 2005 (4.5%).
  
• Among first time users in the past year, the rate of use of nitrous oxide or “whippits” declined between 2002 and 2007 for both male and females. (males 40.2% to 20.2%)(females (22.3 to 12.2%)


• Use of aerosol spray other than spray paint was higher in 2007 than 2002 (25% versus 12.6%)


• In 2007, 17.2% of adolescents who initiated illicit drug use during the past year indicated that inhalants were the first drug they used. This rate remained relatively stable between 2002 and 2007.


• In 2007, 2.1% of adolescents who had not previously used inhalants began using them during the 12 months prior to the survey.