School officials, business owners and local agencies are
working to stem an apparent outbreak of over-the-counter substance abuse among young
people.
The drug, dextromethorphan or DXM, is an ingredient in cold medications
such as Robitussin. When consumed in larger than recommended doses, the drug produces
intoxication that is often compared to the effects of "ecstasy" or PCP.
Haines principal Cheryl Stickler said abuse of DXM "seems to be
growing around the country." She said habitual overdose of the drug could create
psychological addiction.
Overdosing on the drug to the point of intoxication is called
"Robo-ing." Effects can be achieved by ingesting Robitussin or other
DXM-containing cold medicines, which are readily available in syrup and pill form, and
less commonly as a powder or in gel caps.
Grocery store owner Doug Olerud noticed Robitussin was selling at an
unusual rate about three weeks ago. He pulled the drug off the shelves after he learned
that the cold medicine contained DXM, and that the substance could produce hallucinogenic
effects.
"I noticed young kids were buying a couple bottles at a time.
Since it was mainly high school kids, I made contact with Cheryl Stickler and (school
superintendent) Michael Byer."
Grocery manager Kevin Shove said once Mike Ward was alerted to the
issue at his store, inventories revealed 22 missing bottles of Robitussin. Shove assumes
they were stolen.
Theft is a problem storewide, Shove said, attributing some of the
current problem with the relative openness of the school campus. "Closing lunch would
minimize the opportunities to get in trouble. Leaving school during the day gives them an
opportunity to steal."
Robitussin remains on the shelf for now at Ward’s store, where
precautions include monitoring the aisle nearly continuously and taking inventories twice
daily. "We want to catch them," Shove said, adding that if it came to locking
the product up, it would likely be discontinued.
According to a report by the American Medical Association, misuse of
DMX has risen in recent years. Effects from overdosing last six to eight hours.
Stickler said the school would be collaborating with the medical
clinic, Lynn Canal Counseling and the Haines police department to address the problem.
"The school is coordinating efforts through an inter-agency
collaboration…so that we can get the correct information to young people as well as
getting awareness out to parents that this is going on," Stickler said.
She said the school and agencies would be giving presentations in a
variety of forums to students, parents, and community members, addressing not only the
effects of DXM, but the broader issue of substance abuse as well.
This is a really good opportunity for parents and people who live with
young people to go through their medicine cabinets and throw out expired medications and
take an inventory of your house to be aware of what’s there," Stickler said.
"It’s a perfect opportunity for parents to sit down with
children and talk about substance abuse – what it does not only to individuals, but
to families and to communities as a whole."
