Various areas of research related to inhalants are summarized and general guidance in dealing with this complex and urgent problem is provided. Topics include (1) "Characteristics of Inhalants," which reviews chemicals found in inhalants and common modes of administration; (2) "Defining Inhalant Use and Abuse," which includes epidemiology, drug effects, and chemical categories; (3) "Trends in Inhalant Prevalence," which addresses Texas school students; (4) "Classifying the Inhalant User and Abuser," which explains user-based categories and user-pattern categories; (5) "Causes and Consequences of Inhalant Use," which reviews correlates and cues to inhalant use; (6) "Effects of Inhalant Use," which covers general, acute, and chronic effects and needed research; (7) "Treatment of Inhalant Users," which reviews problems in outreach, screening, diagnosis, detoxification, life skills, peers, and family treatment; (8) "Prevention of Inhalant Use," which reviews a number of problems to be overcome in planning prevention efforts; (9) "Research Issues in Inhalant Use," which presents issues specific to inhalant use; and (10) "Summary of Inhalant Issues." Brief, relevant articles are presented in boxes in various chapters. Appendix A provides a table of "Characteristics of Inhalant Users" with corresponding research references. (Contains 175 references.) (EMK)