Is Your Medicine Cabinet Safe?
If you think that drug abuse among preteens and teens is limited to illegal substances like marijuana, Ecstasy or cocaine, think again. The newest source of abusable drugs for teens is as close as your home medicine cabinet or the corner drug store.
For teens, over-the-counter (OTC) drug abuse is the second most popular category of drug use after marijuana. That's why it's important to know the facts about over-the-counter drugs and closely monitor their use in your home.
Some of the most frequently abused OTC drugs are those containing flu, cough and cold remedies. The draw is dextromethorphan (DXM), an ingredient found in literally hundreds of medications. In high doses, DXM can produce euphoria and hallucinations. Also known as Robo, Skittles and Triple C's, DXM is not the only OTC drug abused by teens. The list also includes diet pills, sleep aids, motion sickness
medication, herbs and dietary supplements.
Effects from abuse of these drugs range from a drunken feeling to hallucinations. This dangerous combination can lead to impaired judgment and mental performance, loss of coordination, dizziness, nausea, hot flashes, functioning with no awareness or memory of one's actions, and a sense of euphoria that can lead to dangerously reckless behavior.
Symptoms include slurred speech, staggering walk, sweating, nausea, vomiting, numbness in extremities, dilated pupils, drowsiness and dizziness.
If they're abused, over-the-counter drugs can be extremely dangerous, even fatal. But you can take steps to help your teen steer clear of those risks.
- Be aware that the problem exists. Educate yourself about the potential abuse of consumer products in your home. Look for signs of abuse such as a child bringing home medication or unexplained dwindling of the family's stock.
- Talk to your child. Speak with your children often about the importance of carefully following directions on the labels of all OTC medications. Help them understand the dangers of abusing OTC cough and cold medications.
- Be mindful of the season. Be aware if your child uses cough and cold medications outside of cold and flu season or continues to self-medicated after symptoms have subsided.
- Check your home. Take a quick inventory of all consumer products kept in your home and be aware of the products in your medicine cabinet.
- Supervise your child's internet use. Be mindful of where your children get information on the internet, what sites they spend time on, and with whom they may be communicating.
