3312

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

WHEREAS, The problem of inhalation of solvents and
other toxic substances is growing, both in rural and urban
areas, among various age groups but is prevalent
particularly among youths between the ages of 11 and 17; and

WHEREAS, Peer group pressure is particularly intense in
the area of initiating and perpetuating the abuse of
specific solvents; and

WHEREAS, The vigorous enforcement of narcotic laws has
a tendency to drive individuals of limited income,
particularly the young, to turn to inhalants as a substitute
for narcotics; and

WHEREAS, Inhalant abusers are invisible to the
educational and health care delivery systems, but visible to
the criminal system; and

WHEREAS, The abuse of inhalants encompasses a rather
large range of substances with an equally wide range of
potentially toxic effects; and

WHEREAS, Solvents and other inhalants are acquired
easily because of their ready availability against which
legislation has not been an effective counter measure; and

WHEREAS, It is easy to shoplift solvents because of the
convenience of their packaging and their relatively low
cost; and

WHEREAS, It is well known that the growing tissues in
young people are more sensitive to toxic products than
mature cells, thus causing cellular damage in pubescents at
concentrations not as likely to cause impairment in older
persons; and

WHEREAS, Preliminary findings indicate a wide range of
neuropsychological impairments in chronic inhalant abusers
which could have serious implications during the abuser's
formative years when the techniques of coping with daily
frustrations and problems are learned, thus leaving the
abuser emotionally immature for life and precluding not only
their treatability but also the acquisition of information
and values that would enable them to be productive citizens;
and

WHEREAS, The morbidity and mortality rates are
sufficient to cause grave concern; and

WHEREAS, Statistics indicate a need to have a
considerably more detailed understanding of the patterns of
the implications of inhalant use for different groups; and

WHEREAS, Present deficiencies in the epidemiological
data concerning inhalant abuse argue for a more systematic
study of the problem, especially in high risk groups; now,
therefore, be it