What you don't know could hurt your kids

Over-the-counter drugs, especially cough and cold medications, are becoming very popular as recreational drugs for local teens between the ages of 13 and 16.

Cold medicines such as Robitussin, Nyquil, Vicks Formula 44 and Coricidin HBP Cough and Cold tablets contain a chemical called Dextromethorphan, which is found in more than 120 non-prescription cough and cold medications.

Teenagers have various nicknames for DXM including: Robo, Skittles, Triple C's, Dex, Vitamin D and Tussin. Coricidin HBP Cough and Cold tablets contain much more potent doses of DXM than cough syrups, so the kids don't need to drink a whole bottle of nasty tasting cough syrup. They can easily and conveniently take a few pills containing DXM to get high, compared to other much more expensive illicit drugs.

The Drug Enforcement Administration classifies DXM as a "drug of concern" because if misused it can be very dangerous. However, there are no legal restrictions on purchasing the drug. Drug manufacturers have expressed sympathy regarding concerns about the abuse of DXM, but so far they have resisted efforts to restrict access to consumers.

DXM is a synthetic drug that is chemically similar to morphine and has been added to cough syrups and some cold medications since the 1970s. Authorities say that DXM overdoses typically occur in clusters, as word of mouth spreads through community middle and high schools.

Growing concerns about DXM have led to some store chains and drugstores restricting access to products containing DXM, and to limiting the amount that can be purchased at any one time.

DXM is not the only over-the-counter drug that teenagers are abusing. However, local statistics show that many area youth are now abusing cough and cold medicine without thinking of the deadly consequences, including liver and brain damage or overdose. Parents should be aware of the dangers and possible abuse of these potentially dangerous over-the-counter medications.

Signs that your teen could be using include:

- Change of friends.

- Change in eating and sleeping patterns.

- Change in physical appearance and hygiene.

- Declining grades.

- Loss of interest in hobbies or favorite activities.

- Hostile and uncooperative attitude.

- Unexplained disappearance of household money.

- Visits to pro-drug Web sites.

- Empty drug or medicine containers or drug supplies.

- Unusual chemical or medical smells on your child or in his or her room.

http://www.cknj.com/articles/2007/06/06/op...rs/02letter.txt

- Change of friends.

o shit DXM caused that??

[Eloivore]

Originally posted by drdªv€@Jun 7 2007, 08:36 AM
- Change of friends.

- Change in eating and sleeping patterns.

- Change in physical appearance and hygiene.

- Declining grades.

- Loss of interest in hobbies or favorite activities.

- Hostile and uncooperative attitude.

- Unexplained disappearance of household money.

- Visits to pro-drug Web sites.

- Empty drug or medicine containers or drug supplies.

- Unusual chemical or medical smells

Wow, they have also just described signs of being a grad student.

[Terraculon4000]

"DXM is a synthetic drug that is chemically similar to morphine"

They only said that to make it more menacing
Fuck the news.

[Kang]

Originally posted by drdªv€@Jun 7 2007, 06:36 AM
- Change of friends.

- Change in eating and sleeping patterns.

- Change in physical appearance and hygiene.

- Declining grades.

- Loss of interest in hobbies or favorite activities.

- Hostile and uncooperative attitude.

Can't these be explained by high school?

[judas]

that article perfectly describes me as a teenager and i didn't touch drugs until i was 20. dxm is just another scapegoat for our parents mistakes. add that to rock music, video games, movies etc.

[n__u]

DXM is a synthetic drug that is chemically similar to morphine

Dr. Phil says: synthetic heroin!

[vapor]

Originally posted by n__u@Jun 10 2007, 12:39 AM

Dr. Phil says: synthetic heroin!

lol that he does... dr phil, funny man.

dxm's chemical structure matches that of a opioid, true; but not of opiates.

[eazyb]

Originally posted by drdªv€@Jun 7 2007, 08:36 AM
Signs that your teen could be using include:

Or how about the obvious: Why not actually LOOK at your kid and, if they're dexing, look at their eyes and listen for any slurring as they speak.

It's a good way to tell right off the bat if the kids are using. Too bad the brain trust at the anti-drug coalition didn't bother to state the obvious (maybe they're too busy going to 12-Step/DARE meetings and recycling the party line like a bunch of drones).

[DonJuan]

I don't care what any of you say. I'm standing by my statement that DXM is the reason my toaster stopped working as a way of protest until he's made into a coffee pot. And that, I simply will not do. I don't even know how to.

You guys know I never got past my grade 10. You don't have to keep blaming everything on my dxm, either. Don't think I'm so stupid I can't see how dumb that is.