drdĒv
02-27-2007, 01:32 AM
As a parent and as someone who helps create public policy, I know that we must always remain vigilant in our efforts to protect children from things that can rob them of their potential and cut their lives short. One of the ways we can do that is by teaching them about the dangers of substance abuse.
It's important that parents talk to their children about how dangerous alcohol is to developing minds and bodies and how illegal drugs like methamphetamine or marijuana can ruin their lives. But many parents may not be aware of the dangers of ordinary products that children can easily purchase for themselves. These are simple household items that more and more kids are to get "high" and as a result, winding up in emergency rooms.
Parents can certainly monitor such products at home, or at least attempt to do so. But if their children are buying them without their knowledge, it's another situation entirely. That's why a Senate committee has approved a bill to ban the sale of cough medicine containing dextromethorphan as well as spray paint to anyone under the age of 18.
This bill was recommended by the Task Force on Adolescent Substance Abuse and Misuse of household items. The task force found that one of the ingredients in cough medicine, dextromehorphan, can act as a powerful hallucinogen. The Oklahoma Poison control Center says that DXM abuse is increasing in our state. In 2006, 14.7 percent of all reported intentional substance abuse cases were DXM, up from 11.6 percent just one year earlier.
Another growing problem is"huffing." Kids will inhale fumes from spray paint to get high. What they may not realize is that it can result in permanent brain damage, and it can be fatal. In 2003 9.9 percent of teens in the 9th through 12th grades reported they'd used inhalants. Just two years later, it was up to 12 percent.
Parents are still one of the most important components in helping keeping children safe from substance abuse, but it is also important for lawmakers to do everything possible to keep potentially dangerous products out of the hands of children. That's what Senate bill 951 would do.
http://www.ccdem.com/2007/02/senate_review_b_1.html
It's important that parents talk to their children about how dangerous alcohol is to developing minds and bodies and how illegal drugs like methamphetamine or marijuana can ruin their lives. But many parents may not be aware of the dangers of ordinary products that children can easily purchase for themselves. These are simple household items that more and more kids are to get "high" and as a result, winding up in emergency rooms.
Parents can certainly monitor such products at home, or at least attempt to do so. But if their children are buying them without their knowledge, it's another situation entirely. That's why a Senate committee has approved a bill to ban the sale of cough medicine containing dextromethorphan as well as spray paint to anyone under the age of 18.
This bill was recommended by the Task Force on Adolescent Substance Abuse and Misuse of household items. The task force found that one of the ingredients in cough medicine, dextromehorphan, can act as a powerful hallucinogen. The Oklahoma Poison control Center says that DXM abuse is increasing in our state. In 2006, 14.7 percent of all reported intentional substance abuse cases were DXM, up from 11.6 percent just one year earlier.
Another growing problem is"huffing." Kids will inhale fumes from spray paint to get high. What they may not realize is that it can result in permanent brain damage, and it can be fatal. In 2003 9.9 percent of teens in the 9th through 12th grades reported they'd used inhalants. Just two years later, it was up to 12 percent.
Parents are still one of the most important components in helping keeping children safe from substance abuse, but it is also important for lawmakers to do everything possible to keep potentially dangerous products out of the hands of children. That's what Senate bill 951 would do.
http://www.ccdem.com/2007/02/senate_review_b_1.html