There has recently been a trend of teenagers abusing "over the counter" medications, specifically cough medications containing dextromethorphan (DXM). Used correctly, DXM is fairly safe and it is useful to suppress coughs. However, if used in large quantities it has hallucinogenic effects.
Too often teenagers believe DXM to be a fairly safe and non-addictive substance to get high on. However, abuse of this medication is extremely dangerous, damaging their brains, and very addictive.
In a survey administered in spring of 2008, 10% of the high school sophomores and 19% of the high school seniors reported using over the counter medications for non-medical purposes during the previous year. The high school principal, Don Willett, reports the high school has had instances of students using these medicines to get high while on school grounds. He also believes that "over the counter" medication abuse has increased this school year since the survey. In a spring 2009 survey conducted with Junior High students, 12% of 8th graders reported using over the counter medication for non-medical purposes. Wayne Youell, the county sheriff, reports that empty packages of cough medications containing DXM are more often found on the streets and public areas of Havana than other Mason County communities.
The Havana Area Prevention Team (HAPT) is a coalition of community
members and leaders working cooperatively to encourage healthy
lifestyles among the youth. We are concerned along with the rest of the
community about this dangerous trend. Therefore, we are taking on the
goal of reducing DXM abuse.
Our objectives include reducing teens' access to DXM and educating them about the dangers of DXM abuse. Both objectives have shown to be effective in other communities. In fact, reducing their access tends to be significantly effective. For example, the "Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005" significantly reduced access to the methamphetamine ingredient "pseudophedrine" and resulted in significantly less meth production and meth use across the country.
We know that many of our youth who are obtaining products containing DXM are getting them by stealing and/or purchasing them from area establishments. In order to reduce our teens' accesses to DXM we are asking area businesses to keep medications containing DXM behind the counter and require that all customers be at least 18 years old to purchase these products.
We are aware that some teenagers will continue to obtain and abuse this drug. However, our goal is to decrease abuse of this drug. We hope that you share this concern with us and will be part of the solution in creating a healthier and safer community.
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