SUNBURY -- Sunbury police and Sunbury Community Hospital have joined forces to educate Valley residents about the seriousness of over-the-counter cough and cold medicine abuse after an emergency room director said he has seen an increase in teens being rushed in for help.
Sunbury Police Chief Steve Mazzeo and hospital spokesman Bruce Marion talked to the Sunbury Rotary Club about the problem during a meeting Thursday night in the Edison Hotel.
"This has become a serious issue," Marion said. "We felt the need to address this right away."
Emergency room director Kevin Shovlin said he has seen nearly double the amount of teens visiting the emergency room over last year.
"The increase is amazing," he said. "We want to get out and educate the public and businesses to be on the lookout for children trying to purchase these over-the-counter medicines."
A large number of over-the-counter cough medicines contain dextromethorphan, and when abused, it can cause feelings of euphoria, Shovlin said.
Effects of dextromethorphan are similar to the drug PCP because they affect similar areas of the brain. The drug will create the feeling of not being oneself or being separate and detached from the environment. Other effects can include impaired motor function, numbness, nausea and vomiting and increased heart rate and blood pressure.
A California law that went into effect Jan. 1 requiring minors to obtain prescriptions to buy over-the-counter drugs containing dextromethorphan is causing a stir.
DXM, Triple C's, DEX and OTC are some of the nicknames adolescents are using for over-the-counter drugs containing dextromethorphan, a popular ingredient in many cough medications including Robitussin, Nyquil and Dimetapp. Over-the-counter drugs are a popular way for teens to get high because of the low price and accessibility.
More than 125 different products such as syrups, tablets, tongue strips and even cough drops contain DXM.
According to the California Poison Control System, 6.9 percent of 12th-graders have tried using the drug, and in 2006, there were more than 300 reports of kids ages 9 to 17 abusing dextromethorphan.
"It is happening everywhere," Marion said. "This was big 10 to 15 years ago, and now it has circled back."
Mazzeo said he has set up a team of officers to visit stores and educate employees about the abuse.
"We want to make sure employees and owners know exactly what is going on," he said. "We just want to inform these people to be on an extra lookout for children trying to buy these medicines."
Marion said avid users will experience flashbacks, fatigue, constipation and insomnia. Use also could lead to psychosis and permanent physiological problems.
"This is important for our community to get a grip on," he said. "We are here for anyone who wants to learn or has any questions. Please call the hospital or the local police."
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