HCR 6-INHALANTS AND POISONS AWARENESS WEEK CHAIR DYSON announced the committee would hear testimony on HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 6, Requesting the Governor to declare March 18 - 24, 2001, to be Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week. Number 0149 REPRESENTATIVE MARY KAPSNER, Alaska State Legislature, came forth as sponsor of HCR 6. She explained that the third week of March is nationally recognized as inhalant abuse awareness week. She expressed her desire for Alaska to join in the effort in recognizing the detrimental effects of inhalant abuse, which is what HCR 6 requests. CHAIR DYSON asked Representative Kapsner to explain the problem, what it does to people, and how big a problem it is in Alaska. REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER said, from her understanding, inhalant abuse has had serious, far-reaching effects all over the nation as well as in Alaska, including rural Alaska. She stated that inhalants affect all of the major organs, especially the brain. A first-time user could die, and repeated users become retarded. She added that inhalants could also affect the reproductive organs. She remarked that this isn't like FAS (fetal alcohol syndrome), where a woman has to worry about drinking for just nine months of her pregnancy. If an eight- or ten-year- old is involved in inhalants, there could be repercussions for generations to come. Number 0314 REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER remarked that part of the problem is that this activity is not illegal, and a lot of the older kids know that. There's nothing VPSOs (village public safety officers) and clinicians can do to persuade older kids from using inhalants. Inhalant use is very addictive. Because the inhalant is "huffed" it goes into the system quickly and gives the users an immediate rush, sense of power, and euphoria. CHAIR DYSON asked Representative Kapsner to list commercial products that are easily available in homes and stores that kids could use. REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER answered that any type of aerosol, glue, gasoline, and something known as whip-its from whipped cream can be inhaled. She added that part of her reluctance in listing all the products is that she doesn't want to give any young listeners ideas as to things that can get them high. She continued saying that treatment facilities have been known to lock up markers, whiteout, and any kind of aerosol. Locks have to be put on gas tanks because people who go into treatment are often found wandering in the parking lot huffing out of the gas tanks. She stated that the hard thing is that none of these things are contraband, but are easily accessible and deadly. REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA stated that the really tough thing about inhalant abuse is that it is not just what happens when a person inhales; the substances that are used are dangerous as well. She shared that when her foster daughter was in her early teens, she accepted a jar of gasoline to inhale, and it caught on fire and "melted" half of her face. REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER informed the committee that 1,400 products are considered to be inhalants. CHAIR DYSON reiterated the intent of HCR 6. He expressed the hope that people would understand the problem. Number 0620 REPRESENTATIVE JOULE asked if the governor's proclamation will reach all the communities and how. REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER answered that it may be possible to attach intent language to the resolution. REPRESENTATIVE JOULE remarked that he thinks it would be beneficial to enlist the help of school districts in order to get this information to all of the schools. REPRESENTATIVE KAPSNER noted that she had spoken with the person in charge of the Head Start programs in Bethel and asked her if she could do some education at that level, when younger users are starting to get involved with inhalants. She added that it definitely should be discussed at the elementary level. Number 0800 CHAIR DYSON proposed a conceptual amendment: on page 2, line 17, change the period to a comma and insert, "using every means they can to inform Alaskan children and families about the dangers of inhalants."[No objection was stated.] Number 0832 REPRESENTATIVE JOULE made a motion to move HCR 6 as amended out of committee with individual recommendations and the attached zero fiscal note. There being no objection, CSHCR 6(HES) moved from the House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee.