Inhalant use among indiana school children, 1991-2004.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the prevalence and trend of inhalant use among Indiana public school students.

METHODS

The Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use among Indiana Children and Adolescents surveys conducted annually between 1991 and 2004 were reanalyzed using 2-way moving average, Poisson regression, and ANOVA tests.

RESULTS

The prevalence had increased during 1991- 1997, decreased during 1997- 2002, and increased again since 2003. Poisson model estimated an average annual decrease rate of 5.6%. The intensity of inhalant use had also decreased. More males and Hispanics use inhalants.

CONCLUSION

Inhalant use needs to be addressed in drug prevention programs.