"Pharm Parties" Popular Among Young Adolescents
The Signs of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in Teenagers
For the second consecutive year, the U.S. Senate has designated August as National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month. The focus of this year's observation is to enhance community awareness of the increasing prevalence of teenagers who abuse over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as cough syrup.
A Growing Problem
In an effort to educate parents about this and other dangerous trends, The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) are teaming up to host town hall meetings in communities across the nation. During these gatherings, anti-drug abuse advocates, substance abuse treatment experts, and healthcare providers, and others will present and discuss facts about OTC drug abuse and encourage community participation in the discussion.
Though only about eight percent of parents are aware of cough medicine abuse, researchers have reported that one of every 10 teens nationwide have acknowledged taking cough medicines that contain dextromethorphan (DXM) to get high. Adolescents and teenagers say they use OTC medications such as cough syrup because the medications are cheap and easily obtained (often from either the family medicine cabinet or an online pharmacy).
In addition to using the Internet to purchase OTC medications, teens can also visit a wide range of websites that offer "advice" on how to abuse the drugs for maximum effect.
A Dangerous Activitiy
DXM is found in over 100 OTC cold and cough medicines, including Coricidin HBP Cough and Cold, Dimetapp DM, Vicks 44 Cough Relief medicines, Vicks Dayquil, and Zicam. When used as directed, DXM is a safe and effective ingredient - but when taken in excess (and some abusers ingest as much as 50 times the recommended dosage) the drug can cause an ecstasy-like high, with distortions of color and sound, visual hallucinations, and out-of-body sensations.
DXM abuse can also cause serious side effects, such as confusion, delusions, slurred speech, loss of motor control, high blood pressure and rapid heartbeat, drowsiness and dizziness, and even loss of consciousness. These effects can be worsened if DXM is taken in combination with other OTC medications, alcohol, or illegal drugs.
Keeping Kids Safe
What can parents do to combat DXM abuse? Here are some ideas:
For more information about OTC drug use and tips for preventing the problem, log on to Teen OTC & Prescription Drug Abuse, www.doseofprevention.org, www.StopMedicineAbuse.org or www.OTCsafety.org.