[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 26 (Friday, February 12, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S1655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 47--DESIGNATING NATIONAL INHALANTS AND POISONS 
                             AWARENESS WEEK

  Mr. Murkowski (for himself, Mr. Lott, Mr. Daschle, Mr. Akaka, Mr. 
Ashcroft, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Conrad, Mr. Dewine, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Grassley, 
Mr. Lautenberg, Mr. Mack, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Smith of Oregon, Mr. 
Torricelli and Mr. Helms) submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 47

       Whereas the National Inhalant Prevention Coalition has 
     declared the week of March 21 through March 27, 1999, 
     ``National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week''.
       Whereas inhalant abuse is nearing epidemic proportions, 
     with almost 20 percent of all youths admitting to 
     experimenting with inhalants by the time they graduate from 
     high school, and only 4 percent of parents suspecting their 
     children of inhalant use;
       Whereas according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 
     inhalant use ranks third behind the use of alcohol and 
     tobacco for all youths through the eighth grade;
       Whereas the over 1,000 products that are being inhaled to 
     get high are legal, inexpensive, and found in nearly every 
     home and every corner market;
       Whereas using inhalants only once can lead to kidney 
     failure, brain damage, and even death;
       Whereas inhalants are considered a gateway drug, leading to 
     the use of harder, more deadly drugs; and
       Whereas because inhalant use is difficult to detect, the 
     products used are accessible and affordable, and abuse is so 
     common, increased education of young people and their parents 
     regarding the dangers of inhalants is an important step in 
     our battle against drug abuse: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week of March 21 through March 27, 1999, 
     as ``National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week'';
       (2) encourages parents to learn about the dangers of 
     inhalant abuse and to discuss those dangers with their 
     children; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States and interested 
     groups to observe such week with appropriate ceremonies and 
     activities.

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