Notes from the West Wing

By State Representative Garey Bies

Assembly Bill 818

             This issue of Notes from the West Wing is one of the most important I will ever write.  If you keep it in your thoughts, the subject of this edition will save lives.  The subject is inhalant abuse, also known as “huffing” on the street. 

On February 11^th, the Assembly Criminal Justice Committee conducted a Public Hearing on Assembly Bill 818, which prohibits the practice of inhalant abuse.  The legislation was authored by Rep. Friske of Tomahawk and co-authored by myself.  I would like to thank Rep. Friske for his work on this proposal and bringing it forward.  I was happy to be of some help on the technical side of the bill. 

Inhalant abuse or “huffing” is an activity that kills.  The sadness it brings to families is beyond belief.  For most it comes out of nowhere, takes your loved one and leaves you asking yourself how you let this happen.  The truth is most people just don't see the warning signs.  Inhalant abuse affects people of all ages, including children who can't get their hands on drugs like marijuana or crack so they look for a cheap alternative.  I believe the attraction to huffing is the cheap thrill and the fact that products to abuse are available everywhere.  Products types abused include volatile solvents such as paint thinners and rubber cement; aerosols such as paint and fabric protectors; gases such as butane from lighters or nitrous oxide; and nitrites, such as those found in room deodorizers or even purchased over the Internet. 

You may not think that this is a problem for Door County, but it is.  The problem has surfaced here, in our district, to a good family and has caused them much sadness.  The young man's name was Aaron Wake.  He was 24 years old and had a great future ahead of him. Two and half years ago his life ended when he huffed butane and it took his life.  His family did not want his death to be in vane so the parents, Laurel and Peter Culp of Sister Bay and his sister Amie Kissel of Ephraim, started the Aaron Wake Foundation and The Wisconsin Inhalant Abuse Coalition.  Both of these organizations focus on the education of children and parents on the dangerous activity of huffing.  They have made appearances at schools and other public forums in an effort to spread information about the subject.               

When the Criminal Justice Committee held a public hearing on Assembly Bill 818, Laurel and Amie appeared to testify in favor of the proposal.  Their testimony was compelling and eye opening for the Committee.  A police officer from Rhinelander also testified on how he is powerless to do anything if he sees people doing this activity because no current law other than common sense prohibits the activity.  

Assembly Bill 818 is very important legislation in my mind.  On February 25^th, the Committee voted unanimously to recommend the legislation for passage.  Time is running out this legislative session, but I hope the proposal can be scheduled for consideration on the floor of the Assembly before the session ends.  This is very important legislation as it will not only make inhalant abuse illegal, but it will also change the attitude that "if it was that bad for you there would be a law against it."  Hopefully there will be such a law.  If you want to learn more, just go on the Internet and run a search on "inhalant abuse" or "huffing."  You can also contact the Wisconsin Inhalant Abuse Coalition or your local poison control center.  

As always, if you have questions or comments on this column or any other topic you might see or read in the news, I can be reached by e-mail at Rep.Bies@legis.state.wi.us or by telephone, toll-free at 1-888-482-0001.