A new supplement to Substance Use & Misuse addresses volatile substance misuse (VSM). Supported by the NIDA International Program, this special issue addresses the public health aspects of VSM, the inhalation of gases or vapors for psychoactive effects, assessing the similarities and differences in the products misused, patterns, prevalence, etiologies, and impacts of VSM. In 20 peer-reviewed articles, authors from 12 countries examine these issues through sociocultural epidemiology, neuroscience, and interventions research. The Australian, Canadian, and U.S. guest editors of the supplement contend that, when compared with other drugs used at a similar prevalence, VSM has attracted relatively little research effort. The authors and editors call for further research to develop evidence-based policies and comprehensive interventions that respect culture and context-specific knowledge.
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