[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 83 (Tuesday, May 14, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E490-E491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             SUPPORTING THE YOUTH POISONING PROTECTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE CAREY

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 14, 2024

  Mr. CAREY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a bill that will 
prevent deadly chemicals from falling into the hands of children, our 
Youth Poisoning Protection Act.
  It's a parent's worst nightmare: a faceless stranger over the 
internet teaching your child how to take their own life, and your 
child, in a moment of vulnerability, listening to them.
  That's exactly what happened to Kristine Jonsson, a vibrant sixteen-
year-old from Hilliard, Ohio whose life was cut tragically short in 
September 2020 Kristine was open with her parents about her mental 
health struggles, but it was behind closed doors on an internet forum 
that she learned about sodium nitrite.
  With the coaching of strangers online, Kristine was able to purchase 
sodium nitrite on Amazon.com and get it shipped to her front door, all 
without the knowledge of her parents.
  Sodium nitrite is a chemical used in the preservation of meat and 
fish, which in high concentrations is deadly if ingested. In fact, one 
spoonful of the chemical is one hundred times more lethal than other 
poisons. High concentrations of some chemicals can be harmful if used 
improperly, which is why they are usually highly regulated or banned 
for sale to consumers.
  Thanks to online forums like the one Kristine saw, the number of 
suicide deaths using sodium nitrite is steadily rising. In recent 
years, the share of sodium nitrite usage as a method of self-poisoning 
has grown nine times over.
  By passing this bill, we can save lives.
  The Youth Poisoning Protection Act would prevent the commercial sale 
of highly-concentrated sodium nitrite, so it can never fall into the 
hands of a vulnerable young person.
  I want to thank my colleague, Rep. Trahan of Massachusetts, as well 
as Senators J.D. Vance of Ohio and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois for 
partnering with us in this important effort.
  With their support and yours, we are one step closer to preventing 
these senseless tragedies.

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