Inhalant abuse was another problem in Davis Inlet, with 47 children being recognized as chronic abusers of solvents, some as young as age 5.

CNS depression has been reported to occur in chronic abusers exposed to high levels of toluene.

Which would indicate he was a chronic abuser, especially since he had many old needle tracks.

Falk's model incorporated citizen coalitions, alcohol treatment for non-violent offenders, increased drunk-driving enforcement, a middle school education plan and an intervention pilot program targeting chronic abusers.

While critics say the drug courts coddle chronic abusers who belong in jail, the cost savings have won over many others.

Mr. Martin said the industry group supported ordinances that suspended police response to chronic abusers.

Mr. Torres said that the ordinance would address fines and the reissuing of permits to chronic abusers.

The authors said it was among the first long-term studies to track a large number of teen-agers, including some who did not use drugs, as well as experimenters and chronic abusers.

In 1991, Prescott was the focus of a child sexual abuse scandal, as local residents Billy Elliott, his parents and several others were revealed as chronic abusers.

Occasional and Chronic Use But the study did not distinguish the occasional user from the chronic abuser, said an editorial in the journal.