Bylaws to combat petrol sniffing should be enacted in Laverton, a local resident says.

Regina Sullivan said bylaws should be introduced in the Northern Goldfields town to outlaw sniffing and give the police the power to act. “Right now an 11-year-old kid can stand out there and sniff until he drops dead,” Ms Sullivan said.

“You can walk down the street with a tin of petrol and sniff it.

“We want to make it illegal.”

She said a legislation change would help put people struggling with substance abuse in touch with support service providers.

“It’s not about out of sight out of mind, but if you’re picked up you will be charged, ” Ms Sullivan said. “There are psychological services in jail to help you figure out a way to stop sniffing.”