Volatile Substance Misuse Among Street Children in India: A Preliminary Report

Abstract

Although substance misuse among children in India has been documented for over a decade, volatile substance misuse (VSM) is a comparatively recent phenomenon there. This paper reviews available Indian studies about VSM among street children and documents the extent of misuse, experienced benefits and harms, and risk factors. Reported perceived benefits include enhanced physical strength, decreased shyness, sleep induction, feeling good, and numbing physical and psychological pain. Identified risk factors include domestic violence, a dictatorial father, presence of stepparents, migrant status, and substance use in the family. Limitations of the current paper and the need for further research are discussed.

Keywords :

• volatile substance misuse
• inhalants
• street children
• India
• toluene

THE AUTHORS

Shridhar Sharma, M.B.B.S., M.D., D.P.M., FRCPsy.(London), FRANZCP (Australia), FAMS, FAPA (USA), is Emeritus Professor in Psychiatry at the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS) of India and Senior Advisor to the World Association of Social Psychiatry. He is an internationally and nationally recognized medical leader in the field of psychiatry with expertise in the areas of social psychiatry, health policy, medical education and planning, and human rights of mental patients. He has held significant positions in both academic and administrative fields since 1965, most notably as the Director of the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences from 1993 to 1996 in Delhi and as Director General of Health Services in the Ministry of Health for the Government of India from 1991 to 1993. He has published nine books and monographs and more than 180 scientific papers.

Rakesh Lal, M.D., graduated from Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, in 1980 and completed postgraduate studies at The Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi, in 1985. He worked briefly as a Lecturer in CMC, Ludhiana and joined the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, as an Assistant Professor in 1988. He is currently working as a Professor in the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences. He is responsible for patient care (at outpatient and inpatient levels), teaching (undergraduate and postgraduate students in psychiatry), and research. He has edited three books, contributed three book chapters, published 38 papers in national and international journals, presented papers at various national and international conferences, coordinated workshops, made presentations to various governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and served as an Editorial Board Member for scientific journals. His research interest is focused on substance use disorders (SUD), specifically in adults and women. He has worked in community settings and as a trainer for physicians, nurses, and paramedical personnel to prepare them to recognize SUD and intervene with patients. He is also involved in formulating treatment guidelines for SUD patients and conducting surveys.