newsletter_issue33

Prevention Times

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
~ Nelson Mandela

Contributed By:
Melissa Tyrrell
Community Coordinator

Herkimer County Prevention Council
61 West Street
Ilion NY 13357
Ph: 315-894-8080
Fax:: 315-894-6313
www.herkimercountyprevention.org
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Sponsored by Catholic Charities of Herkimer County an Agency of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany

Past Issues of Prevention Times: April 09 Cost Underage Drinking May 09 Prom Jun 09 Graduation July 09 Boating Safety Aug 09 Binge Drinking
Sep 09 Alcohol & Brain Development Oct 09 Salvia Nov 09 Children of Alcoholics Dec 09 Responsible Partying

Resources:
www.oasas.state.ny.us
www.teenoverthecounterdrugabuse.com
www.theantidrug.com

Robitussin…Not Just for Coughs Anymore

We’re all aware that H1N1 has hit our communities and it is only a matter of time before the regular flu is under way. “Quick”
relief for your misery is all over the ads on television.

Many local stores have cold and flu medicine on display at discounted prices. While this is helpful to those who are battling colds
or flu, do you know that teens are using these same drugs to get “high”?

Dextromethorphan (DXM) is an ingredient in over 75 over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Nationally, it has become the new drug
of choice among teens and has become a known problem here in Herkimer County. Locally, Robitussin has become the most
commonly abused cold medicine (often called DEX or Robo-tripping) but other medications such as NyQuil and Coricidin contain
DXM and have the potential for abuse. Check the ingredients label to verify if a cold medication contains DXM.

DXM in large doses creates a high similar to Phencyclidine (PCP). Hyper excitability, slurred speech, elevated heart rate, and
hallucinations are all associated with abusing this drug. Taking more than the recommended dose of DXM can be extremely
dangerous especially mixed with other drugs and alcohol. Emergency rooms are seeing increased numbers of overdoses due to
the abuse of DXM.

                                                         Adverse Effects of DXM:
Fever                                 Excessive Sweating                         Double or blurred vision            Slurred speech
Abdominal pain                Numbness of fingers and toes      Loss of motor control               Irregular heartbeat
Liver damage                    Brain Damage                                 High blood pressure                  Nausea/vomiting
Loss of consciousness                                                            Seizures
  Add to the physical effects – confusion, hallucinations, out of body sensations and perhaps, ultimately-
                                                                                       Death

      So why are teens abusing Robitussin?

Many teens feel that OTC medications are safer to use than other drugs.
   ◙ This is a very dangerous misconception – DXM is easy to
      overdose on and can be deadly if mixed with other drugs
      or alcohol.
It is easier to get than other drugs.
   ◙ Can be purchased in many stores.
   ◙ Cheaper.
   ◙ Easy to steal.
It’s something teens say their parents don’t know much about
   ◙ Many parents are unaware that teens can/are abusing
      cold medications.
   ◙ When discussing the issue of abusing Robitussion many
      teens stated, “My parents talk to me about alcohol and
      other illegal drugs but they never talked about cold medicine”.

What can YOU do?
As parents, teachers, or anyone working with teenagers we need to be aware of the increased abuse of cold medicine.

Parents not only have to check their liquor cabinets but they have to check their medicine cabinets as well.

We need to continue to educate teens on the dangers of illegal as well as legal drugs.