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Thursday, March 15, 2007 10:11 PM CDT
Latest trend in teen drug abuse: cold meds
By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com
MATTOON -- Coricidin HBP is a cough and cold medicine that gets people back on their feet.
It is also sending some local teens to the hospital after they have downed it to get high. They are risking their long-term health as well as their lives, police warn.
“We’ve learned of four different teenagers abusing here over the past month,” said Mattoon Deputy Police Chief Dave Griffith. “At least two have gone to the hospital.”
The teenagers ranged in age from 13 to 17, Griffith said. There was also a case of a 21-year-old reportedly abusing the cold medicine, which includes the active ingredient Dextromethorphan or DXM. Griffith said his department is investigating possible sexual assault being related to some of the incidences of abuse.
The Partnership for a Drug-Free America says the medicine can cause problems ranging from dizziness to rapid heartbeat, as well as hallucinations and “out-of-body” feelings. High doses can cause suppression of the central nervous system, leading to lack of breathing and death. Hallucinations can lead to accidents that result in death. Mixing the cold medicine with alcohol can increase the health risks, according to authorities.
But ingesting cough medicines like Coricidin HBP or Robutussin C is not illegal, Griffith said. Police were informed of the incidents due to the medical emergencies and parental concerns.
“This is a good product when it is used for medicine. The problem is the abuse. But there is nothing illegal about owning this medicine,” said Griffith.
Rick Podeschi, who owns My Store grocery in Mattoon, stopped sales when the abuse of Coricidin literally came down his store aisles. A teenage shoplifter was caught as he attempted to steal four packages of Coricidin C. Then Podeschi learned about another teen going to the hospital after taking Coricidin reportedly stolen from his store.
“We pulled the medicine from our shelves last week. I had no idea, no idea this was going on. I called other merchants to warn them. They were already aware of it,” he said.
Griffith said this is different from medicines with restrictions on purchases due to potential use by methamphetamine manufacturers. In addition, new laws prevent acquisition of pure forms of DMX and similar compounds. There are few barriers to keep young people buying the cold medicine.
“It’s such an easy thing for them to lay their hands on,” Griffith said.
Charleston Deputy Police Chief David A. Chambers said his department has not dealt with cold medicine abuse among teenagers in Charleston. Yet he noted Mattoon and Charleston youths do mingle so such abuse might be present. He said the latest form of drug abuse always surprises the public.
However, Chambers said trying to pinpoint the next way young people will get high is not the only answer.
“What is the real community problem?” Chambers asked. “Is it smoking cannabis or drinking cough medicine? Whatever the drug is, we must be encouraging young people into more productive lifestyles.”
The officer said parents must be engaged with their children to prevent them from plugging into a self-destructive mindset. “Parents don’t have to have a doctor’s degree to spot those indicators. That is much easier than remembering what that drug does or its effects,” he explained.
One indicator is when young people are moving away from their core of friends or family members to another group. A decline in dedication to studies or extracurricular activities is another point to consider.
Drug education among young people is vital, said Mattoon School Superintendent Larry Lilly. He noted his staff is following up with local law enforcement on the information of cold medicine abuse among young people.
“We have drug resistance education sprinkled throughout our health curriculum. We have teachers and counselors working with our students. And we receive information from social workers and law enforcement to stay current on our drug education. The larger issue is getting the right message to our kids,” he said.
Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.
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Fxiccxypxc wrote on May 10, 2007 11:31 AM: