Deadly ingredients may be lurking in your medicine cabinet
Unfortunately, we can now add over-the-counter medicines (OTC) to the list of drugs being abused. Easy access to these medicines may lead to a rapid increase in teenage drug abuse. There are dangerous mind-altering chemical ingredients in these overthe counter medicines which can be purchased without a prescription.

Two of the most common ingredients are dextromethorphan (DXM or DM) and pseudoephedrine (PSE), both of which are recognized as psychoactive drugs.

Dextromethorphan (DXM or DM) is a cough-suppressant found in cough medications. DXM is contained in any medication whose product name includes "DM" or "Tuss."

It is a synthetic drug that is chemically similar to morphine. There are more than 120 products on the market that contain DXM.

At the recommended doses, DXM-containing medications are effective at treating coughs. However, at higher doses (4 ounces or more), DXM generates dissociative effects similar to those of PCP and ketamine.

"Robotripping" is the term used when abusers ingest high doses of cough syrup. Abusers start to experience distortions of color and sound, have visual hallucinations, out-of body dissociative sensations, loss of muscle control, numbness of fingers and toes, and a myriad of other harmful effects.

Another abusive practice is called "roboshaking." This involves drinking large amounts of cough syrup and forcing one's self to vomit.

The DXM is then absorbed through the lining of the stomach to achieve the desired effects, while expelling the other ingredients.

Please be aware of another over-the-counter medication, which is an antihistamine containing DXM. It is called Coricidin Cough and Cold. The slang name for this drug is Triple C, Red Devils or Skittles. Coricidin is a pill that resembles the shape and color of a red Skittles candy. DXM powder is also offered for sale on the Internet.

Lastly, pseudoephedrine (PSE) and ephedrine, found in some OTC decongestants, is a key ingredient needed for the production of the illicit drug methamphetamine (speed). Medications containing PSE are also widely accessible in stores. Certain types of Sudafed and Actifed contain limited amounts of pseudoephedrine, as well as many other brands of decongestants.

Parents need to be aware of these over-the-counter medications. For further information please feel free to contact me at (732) 446-8417.

Lisa Harmon Mollicone

Manalapan-Englishtown

Coordinator for the Prevention of Alcohol

and Drug Abuse

Manalapan