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05-02-2007, 10:50 PM
— One of the new, increasingly popular forms of getting high for teens is the use of dextromethorphan. DXM may never replace marijuana or even prescription drugs in popularity. But this ingredient in over-the-counter cold and cough medicines can produce psychoactive effects if taken in excessive doses.
The dangerous downside is it also can cause hallucinations, seizures, insomnia and brain damage.
An estimated 10 percent of teens using drugs have taken non-prescription remedies containing DXM in order to get high. But where many teens know the hazards inherent in taking drugs, such as meth, they may have little idea of the harmful potential of DXM.
If the trend in DXM use spikes, we may see legislation that restricts the sales of or access to some cough and cold medicines similar to laws limiting the purchase of over-the-counter drugs containing the ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which are key ingredients in making methamphetamine.
There have been no reports of deaths as the result of DXM use, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists. But young people have been hospitalized.
Parents should check their medicine chests for ingredients that might be misused by their children and eliminate such medicines or put them under lock and key. They also should have frank discussions in the home about the dangers of abusing any mind-altering drugs, including those sold over the counter.
http://www.joplinglobe.com/editorial/local..._122203914.html (http://www.joplinglobe.com/editorial/local_story_122203914.html)
The dangerous downside is it also can cause hallucinations, seizures, insomnia and brain damage.
An estimated 10 percent of teens using drugs have taken non-prescription remedies containing DXM in order to get high. But where many teens know the hazards inherent in taking drugs, such as meth, they may have little idea of the harmful potential of DXM.
If the trend in DXM use spikes, we may see legislation that restricts the sales of or access to some cough and cold medicines similar to laws limiting the purchase of over-the-counter drugs containing the ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which are key ingredients in making methamphetamine.
There have been no reports of deaths as the result of DXM use, according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists. But young people have been hospitalized.
Parents should check their medicine chests for ingredients that might be misused by their children and eliminate such medicines or put them under lock and key. They also should have frank discussions in the home about the dangers of abusing any mind-altering drugs, including those sold over the counter.
http://www.joplinglobe.com/editorial/local..._122203914.html (http://www.joplinglobe.com/editorial/local_story_122203914.html)