Stats
Recent research shows that while parents are aware of warnings against the
dangers of illicit street drugs, both prescription medicine and over-the-counter
(OTC) cough medicines are often overlooked as a potential threat. An estimated
one in 10 people, aged 12–17, or 2.4 million kids, have intentionally
abused cough medicine to get high.
Partnership for a Drug-Free America
Data collected in the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s “Monitoring
the Future” study estimates the intentional abuse of cough medicine
among eighth, tenth, and twelfth graders is at roughly four percent, five
percent, and seven percent, respectively—on par with cocaine.
Monitoring
the Future 2006
Kids who learn about the risks of drug abuse from their parents are half
as likely as their peers to try or use drugs.
Partnership for a Drug-free
America
A recent survey conducted by Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America in
partnership with the Consumer Healthcare Products Association indicates that
75 percent of parents are not talking to their kids about the abuse of OTC
medicines.
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
Only 45 percent of teens believe that abusing cough medicine to get high
is risky, which means that over half believe it is not.
Partnership for a
Drug-free America
Also noted in the CADCA and CHPA survey was that among the 313 coalition
leaders who participated, 77 percent believed that the abuse of medicines—both
prescription and OTC—is, or likely is, a major problem in their community.
The survey found that the majority of coalition leaders—about 80 percent—are
aware of the abuse of DXM, and 66 percent said cough medicine abuse was a
particular problem among youth.
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
Quotes From the Field
“I knew that OTC cough and cold medicine abuse existed, but I didn't
think my child would do this. Then I saw the trash. There were multiple,
empty cough medicine containers, and it was a chilling and frightening reminder
that this is a very real problem, it must be addressed, and it must be now.”
Doris Carroll
Parent and Community Coordinator
Palm Beach County Substance Abuse Coalition
Palm Beach, FL
“Knowledge is powerful. Keep your kids safe by knowing what medicine
is in your medicine cabinet, how much you have, and how it is being used,
because these drugs can be just as dangerous as illegal street drugs if they
are abused.”
Misty Fetko, RN
Concerned Mother and Parent Partner
Partnership for a Drug-Free America
“The Internet is partly to blame for the rising rates in OTC cough
medicine abuse. The information and exposure that kids can find on the Internet
play a big role. Now you go on a search engine and can get hundreds of pages
on everything from how to prevent over-the-counter medicine abuse to the
best ways to use it. The Internet is a powerful tool for community prevention,
but it’s also a liability.”
Eric Gregory, MA, CPP
Executive Director
The Save the Kids Coalition
Bowling Green, KY
“We don’t have a visible cough medicine abuse problem in our community yet, and that’s why we need to deal with it now, before it starts.”
CADCA Leadership Focus Group on OTC Cough Medicine Abuse“Substance abuse experts tell us—and we agree—that education
is the most effective way to keep kids from abusing all types of substances,
including medicines.”
Linda A. Suydam
President
Consumer Healthcare Products Association
“The Internet has fueled the fire, and the only way to address this
problem is through education.”
Elizabeth Funderburk
Director, Communications & Media Relations
Consumer Healthcare Products Association
“Community anti-drug coalitions are ideally positioned to address
OTC cough medicine abuse. This drug problem requires a cadre of partners
to come together—the retailers, educators, parents, and more—in
order to prevent the problem from spreading and to stop it in its tracks.
Coalitions, best known for their ability to sound the alarm and to stay engaged
for the long-haul, are critical to the success of prevention and intervention
efforts.”
General Arthur Dean
Chairman & CEO
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
“The most effective tool we have to fight substance abuse—including
cough medicine abuse—is education at the community level.”
General Arthur Dean
Chairman & CEO
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America