Many parents have no idea that teens today need only look to their local supermarket, pharmacy, or home medicine cabinet to get high using over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold remedies. To help warn parents of this risk, ONDCP’s National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign has developed a new customizable Open Letter that you can use in your community to educate parents and encourage them to both monitor their teens and look for signs of abuse.
Although overall teen drug use has declined over the last several years, parents are often unaware of this latest threat. Many of these medications contain Dextromethorphan (DXM), a cough suppressant, which when taken in excessive amounts can cause delusions, loss of consciousness, and even death. Even more startling is that some teens consume these drugs along with alcohol, making the effects even more dangerous.
But parents can help stop the abuse by safeguarding OTC drugs (and showing extra vigilance during cold and flu season), properly concealing and disposing of old or unused medications, and setting clear rules for teens about all drug and alcohol use.
NOTE: The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy selected Botvin LifeSkills Training for excellence as a Model Evidence-Based Substance Abuse Prevention Program.
Posted by nhpa 
