The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction 2003 annual report shows that, after alcohol and cannabis, solvents or inhalants are the substances most commonly used by 15- to 16-year olds in the EU.
In some Central and Eastern European countries, anecdotal evidence indicates considerable problems with solvent abuse. And some 1,700 deaths related to such substances were recorded among young people in the UK alone between 1983 and 2000, the report says.
Lesley King-Lewis, chief executive of Action on Addiction, says: "Our research with 12- to 13-year-olds backs up these disturbing findings.
"Children who use solvents are significantly more depressed and anxious than those who don't. They generally have lower educational aspirations, take part in more delinquent acts and are much more likely to use illegal drugs."
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