Murkowski is joined by 15 other Senators in introducing the awareness week resolution, including Senate Majority leader, Sen. Trent Lott and Minority leader, Sen. Tom Daschle. The current legislation is in recognition of the 2nd Annual Statewide Inhalant Abuse Prevention Conference to be held in Bethel, Alaska from March 24 - 26, 1999.
Inhalant abuse is an epidemic.
A growing number of our young people are suffering from permanent liver, kidney and brain damage, and even death as the result of inhaling common household products. Unlike other substances abused by our youth, inhalants are legal, inexpensive and can be found in nearly every home across the country. Children and teens are getting high on glue, gasoline, pressurized whipping cream, magic markers and aerosol cleaners and sprays. Nationwide, it is reported the 17 percent of kids have experimented with inhalant products. In Alaska, almost one out of every four kids has tried inhalants.