NCJ Number
210169
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 32 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2005 Pages: 34-39,42-44,46
Date Published
May 2005
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This article identifies patterns of legal-drug abuse that are popular among some youth and that pose dangers when used improperly, and suggests ways to counter such drug abuse.
Abstract
Popular names for this type of drug abuse are "robotripping," which involves drinking bottles of cough syrup, such as Robitussin DM, to get high. "Skittling" refers to ingesting high doses of tiny red Coricidin Cough & Cold tablets to achieve an altered mental state; and "pharming" describes the "farming" of the family medicine cabinet for pills, either over the counter or prescription, to determine the effects that can be achieved. There are some 1,000 over the counter (OTC) medications that can achieve effects desired by youth, but there are some common components that bring desired effects. The most popular medicine component is dextromethorphan (DXM), commonly found in cough and cold medications, which if taken in sufficient quantities produces a hallucinogenic and sometimes deadly high. Pseudoephedrine, a primary ingredient in nasal decongestants, produces a speed-like high when taken in large quantities. Diphenhydramine hydrochloride, used in sleep aids, is a powerful psychoactive drug when taken in sufficient quantities. In order for youth to obtain the effects they desire from these drugs, they must be taken far beyond the recommended dosage, thus putting the youth at risk of severe physical harm or death. Education for youth and parents through cooperative school and police programs is needed, along with regulation of OTC drug purchases. Some pharmacies have a policy of placing the most popular OTC medicines where they can be easily observed by pharmacy personnel, and some pharmacies have a policy of limiting their purchase to persons over the age of 18.