Too many teens abusing the family medicine cabinet to get high

May 16 2006

According to new research teenagers in the U.S. are using the family medicine cabinets in their search for drugs to get high on.

As well as using some prescription drugs, an increasing number of teens are intentionally abusing cough medicine containing dextromethorphan to get high.

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) has issued a multi-pronged effort to try to curb the abuse of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines; they hope to draw public attention to this substance abuse trend among teenagers.

A major element of this initiative is a national public awareness campaign created in cooperation with the Partnership for a Drug-Free America which has brought together a distinguished group of professionals who are focused on curbing OTC and prescription medicine abuse.

Linda Suydam, president of CHPA says it is important that parents understand that that their children may be abusing the very medicines that is used to safely and effectively treat common everyday ailments.

In 2003, CHPA and the Partnership for a Drug-Free America created an initiative to ensure that adults with influence and oversight over young people are aware that teens may be considering cough medicine abuse.

The CHPA and the Partnership for a Drug-Free America have now expanded their efforts to provide accurate information to parents and teens about the dangers of medicine abuse.

The two organizations are launching a national, research-based media campaign, distributing an educational brochure for parents, providing parent-oriented resources and a teen web site on the net and information on dextromethorphan abuse.

They are also hoping to involve a variety of organizations in the effort.

Steven J. Pasierb, president and CEO of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, says there is a need for an aggressive media campaign aimed at educating parents.

In addition to this media effort, CHPA is aggressively promoting and encouraging legislative efforts to prevent the unapproved sale and distribution of unfinished (bulk) dextromethorphan sold over the Internet.