Every year, millions of consumers use over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines safely and effectively to relieve coughs due to the common cold or flu. Many teenagers, however, are abusing large amounts of cough medicine—sometimes as much as 25 to 50 times the recommended dose—to get “high” from dextromethorphan, the active ingredient in OTC cough medicines.
Dextromethorphan is a safe and effective ingredient found in well over 100 over-the-counter cough and cold medicines. It was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the 1950s, and is an effective, non-narcotic cough suppressant that works by raising the coughing threshold in the brain. Dextromethorphan has no pain relieving properties and is not physically addictive. When ingested in large amounts for an intentional high, however, its effects can include confusion, dizziness, double or blurred vision, slurred speech, loss of physical coordination, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, rapid heartbeat, and disorientation.
CHPA has a full legislative agenda in place to complement its educational efforts and provide additional tools for combating this teen substance abuse behavior:
- CHPA supports prohibiting the sale of cough medicine to those under the age of 18.
- CHPA supports a prohibition of the sale of the raw, unfinished form of dextromethorphan to ensure only entities registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration—such as scientists, researchers, and manufacturers—have access to this form of the ingredient.
- CHPA supports the designation of a yearly National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month to encourage communities to engage in fighting this type of teen substance abuse.
⇒CHPA position paper on federal initiatives to address cough medicine abuse
The Dextromethorphan Distribution Act
CHPA supports legislation ensuring that only legitimate entities registered with FDA or relevant state agencies can purchase raw, unfinished dextromethorphan, the most dangerous form of the ingredient when abused. Currently, there are no national sales or purchase restrictions for dextromethorphan in this form. The Dextromethorphan Distribution Act (H.R. 1259) was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on March 31, 2009. CHPA is working to see that a companion bill is introduced and passed in the Senate as well.
The Dextromethorphan Abuse Reduction Act
CHPA supports legislative and retail efforts to implement sales restrictions prohibiting the sale of OTC cough medicine to minors. In the 111th Congress, the Dextromethorphan Abuse Reduction Act (S. 1383) was introduced to accomplish this goal. CHPA, and partners such as the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, the Food Marketing Institute, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, and the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, are working with members of Congress to see the legislation enacted.
Additional Programming in the Community
CHPA is working closely with the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, and D.A.R.E. America to raise awareness among parents and in communities about the dangers of OTC cough medicine abuse.
We encourage members of Congress to join us in our efforts to educate parents by including information on cough medicine abuse in any upcoming constituent newsletters. Please visit StopMedicineAbuse.org to learn more.
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