This study examined inhalant use during the 1990's, focusing on high-risk youth--potential school dropouts--and compared those youth with others in their school setting. The research sample included 750 high-risk youth and 485 "typical" youth from 5 urban high schools in the Pacific Northwest. Inhalant use was associated with or clustered with other adolescent health risk behaviors, including use of alcohol and marijuana. There were moderately strong associations between inhalants and opiates and depressants. Inhalant use was also associated with depression, hopelessness, and more importantly with suicidal behaviors including suicide threats and attempts. The association between suicidal behaviors and inhalants was stronger than with any other drug type, suggesting that inhalant use forecasts other adolescent health risk behaviors. The identification of high-risk groups within the school context is important to allow for early delivery of preventive interventions prior to the escalation of school difficulties and related health risk behaviors. Figures, glossary