EFFORT AGAINST INHALANT ABUSE GAINS GROUND

Mother Whose Son Died Gets Ordinance Against Huffing

A Door County family is pressing on with a battle against the abuse of
inhalants, also known as huffing.

Laurie Culp of Sister Bay started the Wisconsin Inhalant Prevention
Coalition two years ago with her daughter Amie Kissel. Culp's son
Aaron Wake died in 2001 at the age of 24 after inhaling butane to get
high.

This week, Culp successfully urged the Door County Board of
Supervisors to adopt one of the first county ordinances in Wisconsin
against inhalant abuse.

Her crusade against huffing, powered by her grief, has received
statewide attention. Besides founding the state coalition, she is also
supporting a state law against huffing.

"We're very pleased with the county. It was one of our goals to make
Door County a model community," Culp said.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, one in five
American students has used an inhalant to get high by eighth grade,
but many parents don't realize the extent of the practice. Side
effects can be severe, including sudden death or gradual brain damage.

Working with state Rep. Donald Frisk, R-Merrill, Culp's efforts helped
encourage the state Assembly to pass a bill against huffing. Next
year, Culp hopes the Senate will pass the bill and that Gov. Jim Doyle
will sign it into law.

Amy Breml with HELP of Door County has stepped up to assist Culp and
Kissel. Culp praised Sheriff Terry Vogel for helping to write up the
local ordinance. Vogel told Culp he's seen evidence of huffing in Door
County.

Her fight is not easy. She said some parents have expressed irritation
by her direct and candid discussion of her son's death.

"Sometimes I feel numb when I'm presenting information about this.
It's sad that this ended up happening with his life. But it's a
natural thing to me, that we need to let other people know," Culp said.

Culp is also looking for funding and plans to apply for state grants
to continue the work of the prevention council.