Medication abuse gets attention in Cheyenne

[PeoplesMind]

CHEYENNE - Abuse of over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines has become one of the biggest problems in the area's schools, according to a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration official.

Dawn Gay told about 30 parents at Central High School on Wednesday that inhalants, alcohol and marijuana are problems as well.

She said dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant, is the main drug in the medications youngsters are seeking. When used as directed, it is safe and has few side effects.

But misuse can cause depressant and hallucinogenic effects including blurred vision, slurred speech, involuntary muscle movement, vomiting of blood, paranoia, excessive sweating, irregular heartbeat, loss of consciousness and, rarely, death.

Out of 12 children in Southeast Wyoming Mental Health's intensive outpatient program for adolescents, three have been abusing over-the-counter medicine addictions.

Gay outlined a variety of signs that children might be abusing drugs or alcohol, including a sudden improvement in grades if the student is using a stimulant, or long periods of wakefulness, weight gain or loss, irritability, loss of interest in activities that were once important and the disappearance of valuables from around the house.

http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?i...-wyo-digest.inc

[cube2the3rd]

and, rarely, death.

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