Many Teens are Robo-tripping and you should know what that is.

by Joseph Ventimiglia, September 21, 2010

Many Teens are Robo-tripping and you should know what that is.

Cough Syrup use among teens is on the rise. Teens are turning to cough syrup for a quick cheap easy way to get high. Cold and cough medicines contain dextromethorphan — commonly known as “dex” or “skittles.” The kids are “robo-tripping” downing an entire bottle of Robitussin or other medication containing dextromethorphan. Dextromethorphan has euphoric, psydextromethor phanchedelic and dissociative properties when more than the recommended dose is taken.

Major Dangers:
Multi-symptom cold medications with multiple active ingredients can produce negative psychological and physiological effects and is highly unsafe. Multi-symptom cold medicines contain other active ingredients that can cause permanent bodily damage such as kidney failure, or even death. Combining dextromethorphan with other substances adds extra risks. CNS stimulants and depressants combined with dextromethorphan can raise heart rate and blood pressure to dangerous levels.

Some things to look out for:
Empty bottles of medicine
Medicine smell
Change in sleep patterns
Hostile and uncooperative attitude
Change in friends
Change in appearance

What you can do.
Next time you are in your local store, asked them to please consider putting products containing dextromethorphan behind the counter. This is not easy, with over 100 over the counter medicines containing dextromethorphan on the market. The FDA is trying to force this, but until then.

Get help if you suspect your child is abusing this dangerous drug. It is no fad or phase, and it sends over 8000 young people a year to the Emergency Room for overdosing on Cough Medicine.

Get rid of old medications. There is no glory in watching a bottle of medicine expire. Lock up what you need to keep. We need to change our medication home storage culture. Lock it all up! Don’t be naive prescription and over the counter drugs are just as dangerous and sought after as street drugs.

Talk WITH your kids. Don’t talk to them, at them or about them. Talk With them.