Connecticut Man Passes Out After Huffing Computer Duster

Via the Wilton Patch in Connecticut:

A 27 year old male was arrested earlier this month after he was found huffing from a can of computer dusting spray.

Police responded to a call for a suspicious person and found the man unconscious, leaning against a building with a can of duster in his lap. He admitted to huffing the product.  Police noted that huffing is not considered a crime because “there are no specific inhalant laws in Connecticut.”  

Revised DUI laws take effect Wednesday in Washington State

via TDN.com

New DUI laws that take effect Aug. 1 include higher fines and mandatory blood draws for felony DUI-related crimes. The new law also adds additional chemicals and "huffing" inhalants to the list of intoxicating substances subject to penalties.

A Hidden Habit Delays Change

Via The Australian in South Australia

The issue of petrol sniffing among young, urban Aborigines stems from the problem in remote, rural communities. One reason is the increased legislation against petrol inhalation in remote areas. Without proper laws regulating the trend in the cities, funding is harder to obtain to help in dealing with the problem.
Warren Miller of the Aboriginal Drug and Alcohol Council's Makin' Tracks explains, "the government has picked a couple of places and said 'This is where the problem is' but they have not looked at the whole situation -- it's not just confined to one area of the state."

Until inhalant abuse is “stamped out” in remote communities, there will be an undercurrent of sniffing in urban areas, where the availability of inhalants is greater and policing reduced.

Harsher New Inhalant Law in Illinois

From WSIL in Illinois:

The article discusses a new law “backed by local legislators and prosecutors brings stiffer penalties to those who huff chemicals.”

The law is aimed at getting help for repeat “huffers.” It increases jail time for those individuals from 30 days to one year. A treatment program for them is also incorporated into the measure.

Illinois: Governor Reviews Inhalant Abuse Bill

From The Pantagraph (May 4):

The Governor's desk the last stop for legislation that will make inhalant abuse less friendly in the sentencing phases. A recent thumbs-up from the both House and Senate brings the bill one step closer to becoming the updated law of the land. The bill would allow first-time offenders to enroll in substance abuse counseling. Officials who continual see the same people abusing inhalants hope the state's rehabilitative approach will stifle repeat offenders from coming back.

Australia Changes Huffing Related Laws

From TestCountry.com

The Northern Territory Government recently approved changes to the Volatile Substance Abuse Prevention Act. The changes to the law “increase the amount of time a user can be kept in treatment from two to four months.” Additionally, the change “also reduces the amount of time it takes to get treatment orders.”

Previously, the minister had to determine whether treatment was necessary but now, the Chief Medical Officer can help speed up the response time and start treatment.

Revised Inhalant Laws in Everett, Washington

From the Snohomish County Tribune in Washington:

The Everett City Council has discussed updating their inhalant related laws. The assistant city attorney mentioned that “more chemicals are being added so the city can align its law with state standards.”

The article continues, “proposed changes would tweak the name of the law to cover “toxic fumes” and abusers would be still charged with a misdemeanor and up to 30 days in jail and/or up to a $100 fine. The amended ordinance reduces the fine by $900. Additionally, people cannot own substances that release toxic fumes or vapors or distribute them if they or the recipient intends to inhale them.”