drdĒv
11-04-2005, 06:45 PM
Some pills used to treat the common cold are now treating some teenagers need for a high.
Coricidin is quickly becoming a popular party trend.
This past weekend, a 15-year-old overdosed at a lock-in skating party in Washington County.
Sheriff Larry Mincks says, "Luckily one of our narcotic officers was working the security detail there, and I think he was able to recognize what was going on. The child was transported to Marietta Memorial Hospital where he had his stomach pumped."
Mincks says this is the first time local authorities had a run-in with the drug, but he says intelligence shows it's out there. It's a potential problem because kids are able to hide it from their parents.
"Ii think parents are warning their kids as far as the abuses of alcohol and marijuana.
We now have another enemy creeping up on us, as far as these cold tablets are concerned, because they are available at your local stores."
This form of drug abuse has been referred to as "skittling," because the tablets resemble the popular candy, Skittles.
But it's a chemical inside that creates problems when taken in high doses.
Local pharmacist Shayla Goldenberg says, "Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant; an overdose can cause hallucinations, excitement, and things like that."
Goldenberg says the drug is available over the counter. She says she'll move it behind the counter if she has too. However, she worries that it might not do the trick, because other cold pills have similar components.
Local authorities say parents should keep an eye out for empty pill containers, and also take note of the medication in your house. That way you'll know if it goes missing.
http://www.wtap.com/news/headlines/1947712.html
Coricidin is quickly becoming a popular party trend.
This past weekend, a 15-year-old overdosed at a lock-in skating party in Washington County.
Sheriff Larry Mincks says, "Luckily one of our narcotic officers was working the security detail there, and I think he was able to recognize what was going on. The child was transported to Marietta Memorial Hospital where he had his stomach pumped."
Mincks says this is the first time local authorities had a run-in with the drug, but he says intelligence shows it's out there. It's a potential problem because kids are able to hide it from their parents.
"Ii think parents are warning their kids as far as the abuses of alcohol and marijuana.
We now have another enemy creeping up on us, as far as these cold tablets are concerned, because they are available at your local stores."
This form of drug abuse has been referred to as "skittling," because the tablets resemble the popular candy, Skittles.
But it's a chemical inside that creates problems when taken in high doses.
Local pharmacist Shayla Goldenberg says, "Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant; an overdose can cause hallucinations, excitement, and things like that."
Goldenberg says the drug is available over the counter. She says she'll move it behind the counter if she has too. However, she worries that it might not do the trick, because other cold pills have similar components.
Local authorities say parents should keep an eye out for empty pill containers, and also take note of the medication in your house. That way you'll know if it goes missing.
http://www.wtap.com/news/headlines/1947712.html