title: Dust in the wind: the growing use of embalming fluid among youth in Hartford, CT.
abstract: This study suggests that use of embalming fluid as a mind-altering drug has been underreported. Based on a social network recruitment strategy, findings from a study in 2000 of 401 outreach worker-recruited polydrug-involved youth (ages 16-24 years) from the inner city of Hartford, CT indicate widespread (over 80% of study participants had used the drug at least once) and regular use of embalming fluid mixed with either marijuana or mint. This paper reports findings on frequency and distribution of use, experience, and consequences of use, access to the drug, and characteristics of embalming fluid users. Given the toxic substances that comprise embalming fluid, and the tendency, affirmed in the present study, of the drug to be associated with violent behavior, there is a need to recognize embalming fluid as a drug of concern among youth.
authors.affiliation: Hispanic Health Council, 175 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06106, USA. anthro8566@aol.com
authors.forename: Merrill
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Clair
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schensul
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Huebner
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eiserman
authors.forename: Raul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pino
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garcia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002188:Cannabis; D003237:Connecticut / Q000453:epidemiology; D004615:Embalming; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000600:supply & distribution; D008297:Male; D027541:Mentha; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs