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Abstract
This paper analyzes volatile substance misuse in Mexico since the 1980s. Data were collected from national household and school surveys, epidemiological surveillance systems, and studies among special populations. Volatile substance misuse begins at 12–14 years. Prevalence is approximately 1% in the general population, 7% among high school students, and higher for street children. Toluene is the main solvent used, but preferences vary within population groups. Volatile substance misuse has increased among youngsters that live in families and attend school. Marijuana and volatile substances are now the drugs of choice among Mexican female high school students. The study's limitations are noted.
THE AUTHORS
Dr. Jorge A. Villatoro, Ph.D., is a psychologist, a full-time researcher in the National Mexican Institute of Psychiatry Ramon de la Fuente Muñiz, and a lecturer at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Dr. Villatoro has served as a temporary WHO adviser and currently coordinates School Population Surveys about drug consumption and the National Addiction Survey in Mexico. He has published several research papers at national and international levels; has participated in diverse international networks, such as the National Hispanic Science Network and REDLA from the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission; and is a member of the National Investigators System (Mexico) and other international research networks.
Dr. Silvia L. Cruz, Ph.D., received her doctorate degree in pharmacology from Cinvestav, Mexico, in 1990, and spent a year as an NIDA/INVEST fellow at the Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Cruz has served as graduate program coordinator and chairman of the Department of Pharmacobiology at Cinvestav, where she is currently a full-time professor. She has published more than 45 research papers, 15 book chapters, and two books in the areas of drug addiction and psychopharmacology. Her main area of interest is the study of the mechanisms of action of opioids and inhalants.
Arturo Ortiz, PhD., has been a psychologist and researcher in the Mexican Institute of Psychiatry since 1978. He is in charge of the project Sistema de Reporte de Informacion en Drogas (Information Reporting System on Drugs), which twice a year since 1986 has provided a diagnostic evaluation of substance use in the metropolitan area of Mexico City. His research interest areas are substance misuse and other addictions such as gambling, extreme sports, migration, and mental health. He has been a lecturer in different countries, a teacher at major universities in Mexico City, and has published scientific papers and chapters of books in the area of substance misuse. He is advisor to several agencies on substance misuse prevention and treatment. His hobby is ultra distance cycling.
Maria Elena Medina-Mora, Ph.D., was born in Mexico City in 1951. She obtained her doctorate degree in social psychology at the UNAM. She is the General Director of National Institute of Psychiatry, México. She is also a member of the National College (Colegio Nacional), the National System of Researchers, level III (highest possible). She is part of the Board of Government of the National University (UNAM), a member of the National Academy of Medicine, of the Mexican Academy of Science, and of the National School of Psychologists. She is a member of the World Health Organization Expert Committee on Addictions since 1986 and was a member of the International Narcotics Control Board (2000–2005 and 2007–2009). Her areas of interest are methodology, psychosocial, and epidemiological issues as they relate to addictions and mental health. She has published more than 210 articles in peer review scientific journals and more than 50 in other publications, as well as 187 book chapters and five books. Her work has been cited in numerous scientific publications, more than 2,000 in Mexico as well as in other countries. Among other recognitions, she was nominated as Women of the Year in 2006, received in 2007 the National Award of Excellence in Research by a senior investigator from the National Hispanic Science Network on Drug Abuse, and was recognized as an honorary member. In 2008, she was honored with the nomination of Provost Distinguished International Scholar at Penn State University.