Pubdate: Mon, 29 Mar 2004
Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette (WI)
Copyright: 2004 Green Bay Press-Gazette
Contact:  http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/879
Author: Laurie Culp

FOR KIDS' SAKE, SUPPORT HUFFING BILL

SISTER BAY - If you think "huffing" is just something the Three Little Pigs 
had to watch out for, don't be fooled.

On June 29, 2001, my son Aaron Wake died from huffing butane. Huffing, 
bagging and sniffing are terms for inhalant use, a cheap and easy way for 
our children and young adults to get high.

Parents and adults are out of the loop when it comes to inhalants. Children 
discuss it and practice it; adults stay in the dark. Most parents try to 
talk with their kids about alcohol, marijuana and date rape, but not about 
inhalants abuse.

The numbers are startling. At least one in five eighth-graders has 
intentionally inhaled everyday products at the risk of brain damage and 
even death Inhalant abuse, most common in the 10-to-12 age group, is also 
considered a student's first form of substance abuse before "graduating" to 
other drugs.

Assembly Bill 818 has been introduced to the Legislature to make the 
intentional misuse of household products and nonprescription drugs to get 
high illegal.

Please call or write your state legislator in support of this necessary 
law. It will assist our police officers in working with our youth.

For further information, see www.inhalants.org or 
www.wisinhalantprevention.com or call Wisconsin Poison Control Center 1 
(800) 222-1222.

Laurie Culp
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager