There is a conversation taking place about cough medicine abuse.
Are you a part of it?
Part of the Five Moms Campaign is getting parents together to talk about cough medicine abuse by teens. That is why we opened a discussion group called Five Moms on Gather. So far, we've had a range of stories, opinions, ideas, and suggestions. Here are some comments that we have received:
"I personally don't know of any cases that this has taken place, but it seems as if kids are going above and beyond to try anything to get a high. It is getting dangerous for our children and our children's children. I have been lucky so far to have my second child graduating and both have not touched drugs/alcohol - being extremely busy in sports has really helped a lot. I have one more to go and I pray like crazy we will be as lucky with her."
Trish B., Mount Pleasant, MI
I agree that it is important for all parents to educate themselves about the drugs that are "trendy." All kids want to be like their friends and will often make foolish decisions to be accepted by the group. Thanks for reminding parents that we need to be educated too.
Clare Stella, May 16, 2007
What do you have to say about cough medicine abuse? The Five Moms would like to know. Please join us on Five Moms on Gather and share your thoughts.
Not surprisingly, we've also had some comments on Gather from the pro-drug use crowd. They've made it very clear that they don't like what we're doing. We're not going to stop, however. They demonstrate to us the value of getting truthful information out there to parents.
But we need your help. The five of us can't watch Gather all the time. So jump into the discussion and help us out. Share your ideas, and, if the pro-drug use folks show up and spout propaganda, let them know where you stand.
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Get involved with the Five Moms Campaign, brought to you by the leading makers of cough medicine and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association.
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Comments: 5
You're right in saying that teens using cough medicine to get high is nothing new.…but this dangerous form of abuse isn't going away, either. The Five Moms have been aware of cough medicine abuse for a while, but there are certainly some parents out there who don't know about this serious problem. That's why the four other moms and I have made it our mission to educate parents about cough medicine abuse and raise awareness about this scary trend among others.
Thanks for joining in our conversation.
My mom radar told me to toss her room. I called a friend because it was such an emotional time I couldn't do it alone. We tore her room apart, leaving no crack unsearched. What did we find? Cold medicine packages.. w/dex of course. Dramamine pkgs and a bottle of DM cough syrup.
I called the hospital immediatly and told them what I found. The doctor in charge told me they had hospitolized no less than eight teens in the space of ten months for cough syrup abuse. He also explained to me it was every bit as addictive as Meth.
Much to her chargin we sent our daughter to an inpatient treatment program for juveniles. She completed the program and we have gratefully not had a relapse.
I voice my opinion as often as I think someone will listen about puting DM products behind the counter as they have with Sudafed in WA state.
No one should have to experience the heart break of having a suicidal child. No one.
Signs I missed because I thought it was her depression.
DM makes them slugs. Your child will sleep as often as they can.
Lack of appetite.
Wanting to spend more time than normal away from home, with new friends.
This is a subtle foe. And the most frightening part? They are drinking products with Tylenol in them, which will quickly destroy the liver in high doses.
Don't think, 'My child would never'. 'Hope' your child would never, and keep an ever watchful eye on them on the off chance they do.
When our daughter came home there were three suicides in our little community in as many months.
Was it DM? I don't know. I'm forever grateful our daughter wasn't among the body count. And folks that's what is at stake here. This isn't a game or a trifle. Watch your kids. Talk to your kids. Poke through their room if you have questions or doubts. Better a live, mad, teen...
Thanks so much for sharing your story with us. This is all too familiar. Sometimes it is very hard to distinguish the signs of drug abuse from being a usual teen… sleeping too much, moodiness, etc. That is why it is so important for us to learn about substance abuse among teens, including cough medicine abuse, and to talk to our kids about how dangerous it can be. Too many web sites are glorifying cough medicine abuse.
You couldn't be more right. We need to have these conversations now with our kids. And again. And again.
Thanks for sharing and best of luck to your family.