NCJ Number
129510
Journal
American Journal of Psychiatry Volume: 134 Issue: 11 Dated: (November 1977) Pages: 1290-1293
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Initial interventions employed to control the problem of inhalant abuse among children in an Oklahoma American Indian elementary boarding school include providing a lower adult-child ratio, improving staff morale and child management skills, and developing a volunteer program to upgrade the quality of the children's experience during after school hours.
Abstract
Data was gathered by direct observation, participation in staff meetings, and interviews with staff members over the 1972-1974 period. Of the 256 students enrolled in grades 1-8, 11 girls and 26 boys in grades 6-8 were identified as glue-sniffers. The preventive interventions resulted in positive effects on the intellectual, physical, and emotional development of these children. Preventive efforts must be made early to interrupt the destructive cycle of dependence on external agents. 22 references (Author abstract modified)