Comment
Rate
Parents warned kids turning to cough syrups as their own prescription for a cheap high
| Advertisement |
By Angie Hutschreider
News Tribune
Over-the-counter cough syrup abuse is quickly is becoming the newest drug trend among teens nationwide. Officials say the trend even surpasses illicit drug use.
Educators, city and county officials gathered to discuss the trend, which Cole County Sheriff Greg White said is not a large problem in the area - yet.
“Prevention is the key. Prevention is easier than intervention and rehabilitation,” White said.
Teens are reporting that one in 10 have abused cough syrup, and one in four are close friends with someone who has.
“These statistics speak to just how prevalent this form of drug abuse is becoming in some areas,” said Beth Wilson, national regional manager for the Partnership for a Drug Free America. “Teens mistakenly believe abusing over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs is safe because they are medicine.”
The medications officials are speaking of can be found in most homes and are - for the most part - readily available for teens to purchase in local pharmacies.
Dextromethorphan is found in many over-the-counter cold and cough medicines. Dextromethorphan also has other uses in medicine, from pain relief to psychological medications. It generally is found as syrups, tablets or lozenges that are manufactured under several different brand names and generic labels.
When taken at doses higher than recommended, dextromethorphan is classified as a hallucinogenic drug. It can produce effects similar to those of controlled substances PCP and ketamine.
It has been reported that, at times, 20 to 50 times the recommended dosage is being taken to achieve a “high” in which users experience mild distortions of color and sound, confusion, slurred speech, loss of motor control, strong visual hallucinations and out-of-body sensations. The feeling has been compared to an ecstasy-like high.
A powder form of dextromethorphan can be readily found on the Internet for sale. Various networking Web sites also glorify the form of drug abuse. Some postings show teenagers proclaiming their love for the drug or depict them as they are experiencing a high.
“It is our job to be parents,” White said. “As parents, we need to pay attention to our children, who they are with and how they are acting.”
Officials warned parents to watch for mood and behavior changes, social group changes, dropping grades, changes in levels of functioning and excessive Internet use.
Dex, DXM, Robo, triple Cs, skittles, syrup, tussin and velvet are all common street names for dextromethorphan.
Side effects from dextromethorphan - no matter how many times the drug has been abused - can include delusions, panic attacks, nausea, rapid heart beat, fever and headaches and possibly loss of consciousness.
“Cough medicine is a good thing in the structure it was designed for - it is not meant to be abused,” White said.
There are several Web sites to help parents learn what to look for an more about over-the-counter and cough syrup abuse.
Web links:
www.doseofprevention.org
www.stopmedicineabuse.org
www.cadca.org
Educators, city and county officials gathered to discuss the trend, which Cole County Sheriff Greg White said is not a large problem in the area - yet.
“Prevention is the key. Prevention is easier than intervention and rehabilitation,” White said.
Teens are reporting that one in 10 have abused cough syrup, and one in four are close friends with someone who has.
“These statistics speak to just how prevalent this form of drug abuse is becoming in some areas,” said Beth Wilson, national regional manager for the Partnership for a Drug Free America. “Teens mistakenly believe abusing over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs is safe because they are medicine.”
The medications officials are speaking of can be found in most homes and are - for the most part - readily available for teens to purchase in local pharmacies.
Dextromethorphan is found in many over-the-counter cold and cough medicines. Dextromethorphan also has other uses in medicine, from pain relief to psychological medications. It generally is found as syrups, tablets or lozenges that are manufactured under several different brand names and generic labels.
When taken at doses higher than recommended, dextromethorphan is classified as a hallucinogenic drug. It can produce effects similar to those of controlled substances PCP and ketamine.
It has been reported that, at times, 20 to 50 times the recommended dosage is being taken to achieve a “high” in which users experience mild distortions of color and sound, confusion, slurred speech, loss of motor control, strong visual hallucinations and out-of-body sensations. The feeling has been compared to an ecstasy-like high.
A powder form of dextromethorphan can be readily found on the Internet for sale. Various networking Web sites also glorify the form of drug abuse. Some postings show teenagers proclaiming their love for the drug or depict them as they are experiencing a high.
“It is our job to be parents,” White said. “As parents, we need to pay attention to our children, who they are with and how they are acting.”
Officials warned parents to watch for mood and behavior changes, social group changes, dropping grades, changes in levels of functioning and excessive Internet use.
Dex, DXM, Robo, triple Cs, skittles, syrup, tussin and velvet are all common street names for dextromethorphan.
Side effects from dextromethorphan - no matter how many times the drug has been abused - can include delusions, panic attacks, nausea, rapid heart beat, fever and headaches and possibly loss of consciousness.
“Cough medicine is a good thing in the structure it was designed for - it is not meant to be abused,” White said.
There are several Web sites to help parents learn what to look for an more about over-the-counter and cough syrup abuse.
Web links:
www.doseofprevention.org
www.stopmedicineabuse.org
www.cadca.org
 |
||
| Lottery players are dreaming big as Saturday's jackpot will top $300 million |
Article Rating |
|
Before commenting read the News Tribune Forum's policies and procedures.
Thanks.
To add your comments you must be registered and logged in |
RSS
