Assemblyman Doug Fisher

FISHER TO YOUTUBE: REMOVE 'HUFFING' VIDEOS
FROM WEBSITE
Lawmaker Issues Letter to Popular Website Requesting They Take Down
Videos Of Children Using Inhalants

(TRENTON) -- Assemblyman Douglas H. Fisher recently issued a letter to the popular website www.youtube.com requesting all videos of children abusing inhalants be taken down from the website. "YouTube should not have videos of children using inhalants on their website," said Fisher (D-Cumberland/Salem/Gloucester). "Inhalants pose a serious health threat to children. Children need to know that common household products are as dangerous as drugs, smoking, and alcohol. Huffing is on the rise, and steps need to be taken to ensure our children are protected."

Many videos can be viewed on the website showing children abusing common household products and becoming intoxicated and in some cases being overcome by the fumes and passing out.

"Videos posted on YouTube are a how-to instructional guide for getting high off of ordinary household products. What these children are unaware of is that these products are dangerous and addictive and can be deadly even after the first use," said Fisher. "Without any age restrictions preventing minors from accessing these videos YouTube has the responsibility to remove these extremely dangerous and inappropriate videos immediately from its website."

Fisher is the sponsor of legislation (A-3083), which would make it an offense to inhale the fumes of common household products and toxic chemicals for the purpose of getting high. The bill also expands the drug paraphernalia statutes to include objects that are associated with inhalation abuse such as compressed air canisters, bag, balloons, rags, and bottles. The bill passed the General Assembly on December 14 and awaits the Governor's signature.

Violations would carry a disorderly persons offense and is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to $1,000 or both.

"Parents, children and schools must be made aware of the risks of the damage that can be done to the brain, organs and muscles when these inhalants are used," said Fisher. "It is vital that New Jersey take the necessary steps to protect children from huffing and other similar destructive behavior. And having YouTube take down videos of children abusing inhalants will go a long way."

According to the Alliance for Consumer Education, one in four students in America has intentionally abused a common household product to get high by the time they reach the eighth grade. The group also notes that inhalants tend to be the drug that is tried first by children and that inhalants rank among the most abused substances with alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana.

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A copy of Fisher's letter is attached.

December 18, 2006

YouTube, Inc.
1000 Cherry Ave.
Second Floor
San Bruno, Ca. 94066

Dear YouTube,

I am writing this letter to you, demanding that YouTube remove all postings of videos on its website depicting the abuse of inhalants. Inhalant abuse is a serious problem among young children and is a serious addiction that is all too often fatal to the abuser. The videos posted by YouTube users instruct and demonstrate how to abuse inhalants to the many millions of people viewing them.

YouTube has a responsibility to remove any video showing the abuse of inhalants to ensure that it does not promote this inappropriate behavior among younger users that view the material. Even under the Terms of Use it states that YouTube does not allow videos showing dangerous or illegal acts and that YouTube reserves the right to remove any such material.

YouTube's lack of parental controls or age identification system allows any child to log onto the website to view and obtain detailed information on how to abuse potentially lethal products. Your policy of "flagging" of video does not provide the protection needed to prevent minors from viewing such highly inappropriate behavior. Therefore it is the responsibility of YouTube to actively remove all instances of inhalant abuse from its website.

Sincerely,

Douglas H. Fisher
State Assemblyman, 3rd District
State of New Jersey