Suffolk Legislature Passes Ban On Some Cold Drugs For Minors
A unanimous vote by Suffolk County lawmakers on Tuesday sent a proposal — one that would ban the sale of some cold and cough medicines to minors — to the desk of County Executive Steve Levy.
The law would prevent anyone under the age of 19 from purchasing over-the-counter medicines containing dextromethorphan, or DXM. Anyone caught selling such drugs to minors would be susceptible to fines beginning at $250, and ranging up to $750 for the third offense and any ensuing occurrences after that.
Such measures are designed to deter teens from “robotripping” or “skittling” — seeking the hallucinogenic high that comes from ingesting larger than normal doses of the medicines. The high — which 1 in 10 teens have experienced, according to a Partnership for a Drug-Free America study — comes with a price, though, since vomiting and an increased heart rate are potential side effects of the consuming such high amounts.
The ban would be the first of its kind in the United States, although Oklahoma and California, among other states, are considering taking similar action.
"The purpose of the bill was not only to mandate stores to check minors for photo identification, but it is also the intention of the legislature to educate the public, parents and teachers, to educate all these people as to the dangers of this particular product," says Suffolk County Legislator Lynne Nowick (R.-St.James), sponsor of the law. "These are very good products when used appropriately. However, in the hands of minors who are abusing the products, they can be very dangerous."
http://www.longislandpress.com/?cp=162&sho...icle&a_id=11926