Pubdate: Sun, 12 Oct 2003
Source: Cleveland Daily Banner (TN)
Copyright: 2003 Cleveland Daily Banner
Contact:  http://www.clevelandbanner.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/947

SOME EVIDENCE OF 'DXM' ABUSE WAS FOUND LOCALLY

Special To The Banner

A recent escalation in the abuse of dextromethorphan, the cough suppressant 
in over-the-counter cough and cold medications has inspired a Detroit, 
Mich., Drug Enforcement Administration's safety warning to parents, schools 
and communities.

Dextromethorphan abuse in the Detroit, Mich., area has seen a disturbing 
increase recently with the Northeastern Wayne County area showing above 
average abuse. Isolated deaths and overdoses have been reported throughout 
the United States involving teens experimenting with dextromethophan or 
"DXM" as it is referred to by users.

Cleveland pharmacists have seen some activity of abuse. According to Steve 
Medley, pharmacist at Central Drug Store, "We had one case of reported 
abuse. We really didn't know what the young man was doing with the medication."

Dextromethorphan abuse is often referred to as "Robo Tripping" since many 
teens consume excessive amounts of Robotussin cough medication to obtain 
the dextromethophan. One particular type of the medication, which contains 
codeine can be obtained over the counter, but only with a signature of the 
purchaser, according to Allison Jones of Central Drug.

The users of DXM are generally teenagers and young adults. Teens typically 
purchase and consume these large quantities of over-the-counter cold 
medications to reach the desired effects. Effects from over ingestion 
include slurred speech, hyper-excitability, lethargy, sweating, 
hypertension and hallucinations.

Unfortunately, in addition to over-the-counter medications, some predatory 
distributors are attempting to sell dextromethophan on the Internet.

"Parents need to remember that ruthless and dangerous individuals try to 
entice our children with risky products on the Internet. We need to 
continually communicate and inform our kids of the dangers that lurk on 
something as innocent as the home computer," said Michael A. Braun, special 
agent in charge of the DEA Detroit Field Division.

Departments should disseminate the following information to parents in 
their communities:

* Monitor teens' behavior for sudden and extreme changes in personality

* Are teens eating habits changing dramatically, especially if they are 
less interested in eating?

* Are their kids excessively secretive about their computer use?

* Are their children receiving unusual mail or mail without return addresses?

* Are their children interested in obtaining private mailboxes without the 
apparent need?

Teens are often under the mistaken impression that abusing substances such 
as dextromethorphan, inhalants and nitrous oxide are not as dangerous as 
traditional "street" drugs. This is a fallacy that law enforcement, parents 
and the media need to work hard to dispel. These myths can in fact be deadly.

For more information on dextromethorphan, go to www.dea.gov.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman