ABUSE OF CORICIDIN HBP IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM

Just when parents thought the only dangerous drugs out there were on
the streets, now they have to worry about the dangers lurking in their
medicine cabinet.

Prescription drugs, meant to help people deal with a medical problem,
are increasingly finding their way into schools across the country and
landing high school students - and even some in middle school - in a
world of hurt.

And local schools are no exception. In fact, the majority of the 53
zero-tolerance drug cases in Sullivan County schools last year and
about half of those in Kingsport city schools the past few years have
involved prescription drugs brought from home.

"When we get zero-tolerance problems in multiple numbers, it's usually
a situation where one child brings prescription drugs from home that
they've gotten out of the medicine cabinet and a number of children
for whatever reason - whether it's peer pressure or experimentation -
take (or possess) the drugs," notes Director of Sullivan County
Schools Glenn Arwood.

Just a month into the school year, two middle schools, one in the city
and one in the county, already have dealt with zero-tolerance cases
involving multiple students and prescription drugs.

Nationwide, perhaps the most disturbing trend, especially among teens,
is taking large doses of Coricidin HBP, an over-the-counter cold and
cough medicine.

Sullivan County Juvenile Court Judge Steven Jones has seen evidence of
this abuse in his courtroom. In several cases, he says, the teens were
caught stealing the drug from department stores and pharmacies.

Coricidin, used for the treatment of common colds, contains a drug
called DXM, or dextromethorphan. DXM was developed more than 30 years
ago as a replacement for codeine.

Used in high doses, it can produce a psychedelic effect including
hallucinations, vivid dreams and an "out of body" state.

Coricidin HBP contains the highest amount of DXM per dosage - 30 mg
per tablet - of all over-the-counter cold medicines. A popular
ingredient, DXM is found in more than 140 over-the-counter products,
including cough syrups with the words "DM" or "Tuss" in their name.

While DXM abuse has caught the eye of local authorities, misuse of the
drug is hardly a new phenomenon. The Drug Enforcement Administration's
Diversion Control Program reports that Robitussin-DM and similar cold
and cough remedies have been abused for years. However, the 15 mg of
DXM found in Robitussin is half of that found in Coricidin HBP.

Taken in large doses, Coricidin HBP can cause dilated pupils, impaired
judgment, loss of coordination, slurred speech, dizziness, nausea,
increased heart rate, respiratory distress, high blood pressure,
kidney damage, liver damage, seizures, brain damage and even death.

According to federal Poison Information Center reports, the misuse of
cold medicine resulted in 14 deaths in the United States last year.
But those figures don't begin to tell the story of the lifelong
effects that such abuse can cause.

Street names for Coricidin and DXM include C-C-C, Triple C, Candy,
Robo, Red Devils and Dex. Coricidin HBP is sold in tablet and gelcap
form.

If you think your child might have a problem with the misuse or abuse
of Coricidin - or any drug for that matter - seek help from a health
professional.

Give yourself a heightened dose of awareness and give your teens a
preparation of love, concern and action. Repeat as necessary; refill
repeatedly. Remember: your child's health may well be at stake.