Congress Takes Action to Curb Dextromethorphan Abuse

By Hilda Posted November 01, 2007 under

On October 15, the House of Representatives approved a resolution that will limit the distribution of raw dextromethorphan (DXM) to only FDA-registered drug or device producers. The Dextromethorphan Distribution Act of 2007, which now moves on to the Senate for approval, is aimed at preventing unscrupulous Internet predators from providing kids with this raw ingredient as a means to get high. Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), one of the co-sponsors of the bill, said he hopes to protect children most of all:

“This is a matter of life and death, and we must shatter the myth that it is safe for our kids to get high off of DXM because it is a common ingredient in cough syrup…As a parent of two teenagers, I am alarmed by the growing trend of teens abusing cough syrup and pure DXM to get high. Our kids are engaging in a game of Russian roulette each time they get high off of DXM, and sooner or later, someone dies. This common-sense piece of legislation will put an end to the bulk sale of DXM over the Internet and keep our kids safe from the dangers of this type of drug abuse.”

This is fantastic news in the fight to keep our kids drug-free. It is not the end, though. The Five Moms are going to continue raising awareness about the teen abuse of dextromethorphan in its finished form – over-the-counter cough medicine -and urge you to help us. Use this opportunity to tell other parents about cough medicine abuse and make sure your kids know how you feel about it.