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drdĒv€
04-05-2007, 07:16 AM
4/5/2007
Oklahoma children are turning increasingly to cough syrup and spray paint for a cheap, accessible high, but some state Lawmakers aim to halt minors' illegal fun


Oklahoma children are turning increasingly to cough syrup and spray paint for a cheap, accessible high, but some state legislators are working to stop that trend by banning sales of both to minors.

"I think education is not enough anymore. It has to be backed up by action," said Jessica Hawkins, the prevention program manager for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

Cough suppressants and other over-the-counter medications containing a synthetic narcotic called dextromethorphan represent nearly 15 percent of all intentional substance-abuse cases reported to the Oklahoma Poison Control Center in 2006, Hawkins said.

That's an increase from 11.6 percent of the cases reported the previous year, she said.

Spray paint and other inhalants were the only other substance-abuse category that saw a rise among Oklahoma children between 2003 and 2005.

"Even more striking," Hawkins said, "inhalants were the second 'drug of choice' for Oklahoma sixth-graders, behind only alcohol, and third for eighth-graders, behind only alcohol and marijuana."

Darrell Weaver, director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, agrees with Hawkins' assessment that it is time to intervene at the point of sale.

"We don't need to overreact," he said. "But at a minimum, I believe we need to restrict the sale of these products to minors."

Weaver was part of a state task force that was formed last winter to study the abuse of household products by children, including DXM, or dextromethorphan. One of the panel's recommendations was to block underage access to the products.

As a result, the Oklahoma Legislature is taking action to curb cough-syrup and inhalant abuse among children in the form of two measures.

Senate Bill 951 would ban the sale of cough medicines contain ing DXM and any spray-paint product to minors. It would make selling those products to anyone younger than 18 a misdemeanor. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Charlie Laster, D-Shawnee, and Rep. Doug Cox, R-Grove, was approved by the Senate 47-0 last month and moved to the House of Representatives.

House Bill 1794 would establish the Task Force on Adolescent Substance Abuse and Misuse of Household Items, which would study education, prevention programs and possible retail restrictions. The House approved the measure 98-0 last month.

"Most youth are really not aware that (abusing DXM) is dangerous," Hawkins said. "They see it as a 'harmless high.'

"Youth see these products in their homes used in a safe manner, and they don't think it can hurt them," she said.

Other states are working to get sales restrictions in place as the threat rises, and the American Medical Association has passed a resolution supporting such restrictions, Hawkins said.

"We do know of a lot of young people who go in and buy eight to 10 bottles of cough syrup at a time without being questioned at all," she said. "And the reason is that retailers are uneducated about the trend and there are no restrictions to enforce."

In the end, Hawkins said, there's only one viable solution.

"Limiting access is key," she said. "There really is no reason why a child needs to purchase bottles of cough syrup or packets of cough medications containing DXM."


Fast facts


What is dextromethorphan?

Dextromethorphan is a safe and effective active ingredient found in many nonprescription cough syrups, tablets and gel caps. When used according to label directions, the ingredient produces few side effects and has a long history of safe use. When abused in large amounts, it can produce a "high" feeling as well as a number of dangerous side effects.

What cough medicines contain dextromethorphan?

More than 100 over-the-counter medicines contain dextromethorphan, either as the only active ingredient or in combination with other active ingredients.

What are slang terms for dextromethorphan?

Slang terms vary by product and region. Adults should be familiar with the most common terms, which include dex, DXM, Robo, Skittles, syrup, triple-C, and tussin. Terms for abusing dextromethorphan include Robo-tripping and Skittling, among others.

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AdultSWIM
04-05-2007, 07:41 AM
I like how when they say overdosing on DXM causes "dangerous side effects" they either A: fail to mention ANY of the side effects, B: List side effects that aren't really dangerous (loss of coordination? Oh noes!) or C: Just make shit up

Kang
04-05-2007, 09:27 PM
Why do people always lump dxm in with inhalants, I mean Inhalants (with exceptions to ether/n2o) can be lethal or cause brain damage, dxm is generally safe.