The use of solvents and other drugs among children and adolescents from a low socioeconomic background: a study in São Paulo, Brazil.

This paper describes the pattern of solvent and other drug use among a sample of 1,836 students from a low socioeconomic background, aged 9-18 years. Nearly 24% of the respondents reported lifetime use of solvents and 4.9% used them within the past 30 days. The more common ones were a mixture of chloroform and ether popularly known as "lança-perfume" (35.9%), acetone (33.9%), gasoline (31.9%), fingernail polish (30.3%), and glue (25.2%). The use of solvents was associated with poor academic performance, being employed, and heavy alcohol consumption among close relatives. Marijuana was the next most often used drug, followed by tranquilizers (3.6% and 2.6%, respectively). Males, compared to females, were more likely to report the use of solvents and marijuana. The use of sedatives was more common among females.