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An old issue has been brought back to life this week because it is proving to still be a problem. The abuse of over the counter medications became a big problem in the last decade when teens learned they could get high from ingredients in simple cold medicines. Teens are still using these medicines to get high, and are combining them with other medicines and substances, making them even more dangerous.
The Dangers of Cold Medicines
Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a cough suppressant found in many cold medicines. When used correctly, it reduces cough and has little other side effects. But, like just about every other substance when used in large amounts, it can be dangerous. Teens like it because it causes hallucinations, disorientation, and out of body experiences, and produces a high. It can also cause blurred vision, vomiting, brain damage, seizure, loss of consciousness, and death. Over 1500 children were rushed to the emergency room last year because of complications related to DXM overdose. Three of those children died.
Cold medicine abuse is unfortunately a fairly common occurrence. 3.1 million young people ages 12 to 25 used over the counter medications to get high in 2006, according to SAMHSA. Teens mix the cough syrup with soda or sports drinks for a cocktail high, or with other substances to increase the effects. They call the use of DXM “Robo-tripping” or “skittling”.
Stopping Over the Counter Drug Abuse
The problem is not new, and safety measures have been taken in recent years to stop the abuse of DXM. Cold medicines are now regulated by most pharmacies so that the purchaser must be over 18 years of age to buy them. But like so many other substances, teens are able to get their hands on these medicines pretty easily. The Consumer Healthcare Products Association has also worked to educate parents and teens about this kind of drug abuse. Public awareness campaigns have increased understanding of cold medicine abuse, and most people today know that cough medicines can be dangerous when taken in large quantities. However, this doesn’t seem to be stopping teens from using cold medicines to get high.
This time, the FDA is looking into scheduling DXM like other drugs such as narcotics. This could greatly impact consumers because these medicines would not be as easy to pick up at the local pharmacy or retailer. The FDA will be meeting in September of this year to look at the risks and benefits of DXM, and will make their recommendation after that time.
Even with stricter regulations placed on medicines containing DXM, parents and teachers need to be aware of the risks our young people are taking. Teens often lack good judgment skills, and do not think about the serious or long term effects of their experimenting with substances. Parents need to talk to their children starting at a young age about not abusing drugs, including over the counter drugs.
Sources
Cough Medicine Ingredient Faces FDA Review
