Characteristics and circumstances of volatile solvent misuse-related death in Australia, 2000–2021
The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre's Professor Shane Darke recently published a study on deaths related to inhalant misuse in Australia.
Volatile solvent misuse-related death is associated with neuropsychiatric, cardiovascular, respiratory and renal pathology, as well as sudden death. The study aimed to determine: (1) the circumstances of death and case characteristics of volatile solvent misuse-related death in Australia, 2000–2021; (2) the toxicological profile of cases; and (3) the major autopsy findings.
While the average age of volatile solvent misuse-related death was in the mid-twenties, a substantial proportion occurred amongst people aged 40 years or older. Reflecting availability, gas fuels predominated. In many cases, death appeared to have been rapid.
You can find the entire study here.