2009-0074
Title
Proclamation: “National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week”
Body
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, many parents are appropriately concerned about illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and ecstasy, but often ignore the dangers posed by common household products; and,
WHEREAS, inhalants are volatile substances that produce chemical vapors that can be inhaled to produce a mind altering effect; and,
WHEREAS, “Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome” can occur the 1st, 10th, or at any time a person uses an inhalant; and,
WHEREAS, inhalant abuse can also cause death by asphyxiation, suffocation, convulsions, coma, choking, and fatal injury due to accidents; and,
WHEREAS, birth defects similar to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome can occur when inhalants are used during pregnancy; and,
WHEREAS, inhalants can damage the protective sheath around nerve fibers in the brain, causing effects clinically similar to neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis; and,
WHEREAS, inhalants are an equal opportunity method of substance abuse, with over 1,000 inexpensive household products readily available; and,
WHEREAS, treatment facilities for inhalant users are rare and difficult to find; users suffer a high rate of relapse, and often require thirty to forty days or more of detoxification; and,
WHEREAS, National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week is a community mobilization campaign that involves youth, schools, media, police agencies, health organizations, civic groups, etc., and has proven to be an effective tool for fighting inhalant use.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT WE, THE MEMBERS OF THE ST. CHARLES PARISH COUNCIL AND THE PARISH PRESIDENT, DO HEREBY JOIN WITH THE BAYOU COUNCIL ON ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE, A UNITED WAY AGENCY, AND THE LAFOURCHE PREVENTION PARTNERSHIP TO PROCLAIM MARCH 15 - 21, 2009 AS:
“NATIONAL INHALANTS AND
POISONS AWARENESS WEEK (NIPAW)”
IN ST. CHARLES PARISH AND CALL UPON ALL CITIZENS, PARENTS, BUSINESSES, HOSPITALS, AND SCHOOLS IN ST. CHARLES PARISH TO INCREASE AWARENESS THAT THE DANGER OF INHALANT USE IS LITERALLY RIGHT UNDER OUR NOSES.
V.J. ST. PIERRE, JR. CAROLYN K. SCHEXNAYDRE
PARISH PRESIDENT COUNCILWOMAN AT LARGE, DIV. A
TERRY AUTHEMENT PAUL J. HOGAN, PE
COUNCILMAN AT LARGE, DIV. B COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT IV
BILLY RAYMOND, SR. LARRY COCHRAN
COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT I COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT V
SHELLEY M. TASTET MARCUS M. LAMBERT
COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT II COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT VI
WENDY BENEDETTO DENNIS NUSS
COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT III COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT VII
National Inhalants and Poisons Awareness Week - 2009