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Inhalant Use By Canadian Aboriginal Youth, Heather Coleman, Grant Charles, Jennifer Collins

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

While inhalant abuse is a significant problem among Canada’s Aboriginal (indigenous) people, it is poorly understood. This study was conducted in response to these issues. The authors followed 78 Aboriginal young people who received treatment for inhalant abuse in a program established by the federal government. Data were based on a secondary analysis of case files as well as follow-up information from community workers.

Seventy-four percent of the 78 young people tracked during follow- up relapsed after discharge from treatment. Many of the young people came from backgrounds marked by isolation, poverty, family violence and substance abuse. The average age …