Mom Changes Building Code To Prevent Inhalant Abuse

From WBBH in Fort Myers, Florida
Mona Casey lost her 15 year old son Charles to inhalant abuse two years ago. Since his death, his mother has been “working to make sure the same doesn't happen” to other children.

“An AC unit could be your child's ticket to getting high. The valve comes right off and inside, you can find the cooling agent, refrigerant, which some people have also used as an inhalant.” Mrs. Casey notes, "There is very easy access to something that was very dangerous that should have been out of reach to children a long time ago."

Mrs. Casey began working to change this and this week, the “International Code Council, which governs all the states' building codes, approved Casey's request to tighten the rules on AC units.”

“Starting in 2010 in Florida, all new AC units will have to come with a special valve that can only be taken off with a special tool. The move will make it nearly impossible for kids to get into an air conditioning unit.”

The article quotes the county building manager as saying, “"It's a major accomplishment, major," "I'm shocked, very surprised, and very happy she was able to do it," and that he has “never heard of an average citizen able to change the nation's building code.”

Mona Casey also remarks, "These are children that don't even understand what this stuff does to your body and I just want to give them a chance.”