IS YOUR TEEN GETTING HIGH... LEGALLY?

Pharmacist Irene Hogan Displays Many Of The Over-the-counter Products
Teens Are Using To Get High.

Important Information For A Healthy Lifestyle

It's cheap. It's legal. And your kids could be using it to get
high.

If you're a parent of a teenager, chances are you've talked to your
child about saying no to drugs and alcohol. But what about
non-prescription pharmaceuticals found in your own medicine cabinet?

The ministry of health, along with school boards, have made substance
abuse a priority in the curriculum taught to Ontario teenagers, but
they only focus on a few addictive products. Locally, the City of
Hamilton's public health and community services health promotions
specialist, Jennifer Jenkins, said their focus is "on educating
residents about marijuana - due to the large numbers of teens who use
it."

But, pharmacists are working hard to educate the public about teens
using over-the-counter medicines to get high.

"Teens are using cough and cold medications because they contain
dextromethorphan (DM), pseudoephedrine or antihistamines," said
DayNight pharmacist Irene Hogan.

"All of these drugs have an effect on the central nervous system and
can be very dangerous, especially mixed with alcohol." All of these
can be found in medications like NyQuil, Contac, Gravol and Advil.

Ms. Hogan believes the epidemic of this kind of drug abuse hasn't hit
Canada yet, but is coming, and it's not just cold capsules that worry
her.

"I sit on the board of the Ontario Pharmacists Association and we are
now working on an education plan to deal with drugs of addiction -
which includes crystal meth (methamphetamine)," she said. "We have
started a Meth-Watch group and hope to, with the help of police and
educators, inform the public of the severe danger of these drugs."

Emergency rooms in the United States are seeing an epidemic number of
cases of teens overdosing on over-the-counter drugs and according to
Ms. Hogan, the problem is heading north.

"We need to educate people before it gets out of control. Due to the
severe addictive qualities of these drugs, and the brain damage they
inflict, chances are slim of helping kids once they're hooked," said
the pharmacist.

Charline Mainprice and Chris Poole are seniors at St. Mary's Catholic
Secondary and neither believe it's a problem in their school.

"I don't know of any kids using cold medication to get high," said Ms.
Mainprice. "We had a class in substance abuse when we were in Grade 9,
but it didn't mention anything like that. It was mostly about pot and
alcohol."

Mr. Poole agreed.

"There's no doubt kids take drugs but it's not part of our friend's
lives," he said.

In the 1970's some teens did drink cough syrup to get a buzz, but
guzzling high doses of the liquid was often followed by vomiting. Now,
the same suppressants are available in pill form and are easier on the
stomach. These drugs are much more inexpensive nowadays because of
mass production and generic brands.

Ms. Hogan pointed out several over-the-counter products which kids
buy. Most of them range in price from $4 - $10.

"Parents need to talk to their kids about the risks because there is a
myth out there these drugs must be safe because they are legal and
available everywhere," said Ms. Hogan.

In fact, some drug stores opt to keep multi-packs of these drugs
behind the counter to keep track of distribution.

"Let's be honest. Teenagers don't usually purchase pharmacy products
for themselves. If they are sick, it's their parents who buy it," said
Ms. Hogan. "The problem is, do corner stores and grocery stores even
notice kids buying these products in large amounts?"

DayNight store owner Hilton Silberg said he too has concerns about
teenage drug use. Both Mr. Silberg and Ms. Hogan still see the use of
laxatives by teen girls as a huge problem.

"They buy them in the 100 dose packs," said Ms. Hogan. "Girls are
still hurting themselves to be thin."

"This is a problem I see in all of my stores across the community,"
said Mr. Silberg. "Not long ago, a young girl came up to me and asked
about a hand cream. She wondered if the lanolin in the lotion would
make her fat. That scared me. She was already so thin and to think
hand creams could make her fat. Sad."

Many young girls believe taking these cold drugs will keep them slim
because it affects their metabolism, but taking any amount over the
recommended dose - is dangerous.

Although DM can be safely taken in 15 to 30 milligram doses to
effectively suppress a cough, users tend to consume as much as 360
milligrams or more. Taking mass quantities of products containing DM
can cause hallucinations, loss of motor control, and out-of-body
sensations. Side effects of DM abuse include: confusion, impaired
judgment, blurred vision, dizziness, paranoia, excessive sweating,
slurred speech, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, irregular heartbeat,
high blood pressure, headache, lethargy, numbness of fingers and toes,
loss of consciousness, seizures, brain damage, and even death.

When consumed in large quantities, DM can also cause hyperthermia, or
high fever. This is a real concern for teens who take DM while in a
hot environment or while exerting themselves at a rave or dance club.

High school programs offer a limited curriculum regarding
over-the-counter drug abuse, but Ms. Jenkins, said the ministry of
health has information. Residents can contact the city at 905-546-2489
or online www.myhamilton.ca.