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September 2007 Issue What Every Parent Needs to Know About Cough Medicine From the Partnership for a Drug-Free America You already know about the dangers of illegal street drugs like marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine. But did you know that some teens are abusing legal products like cough medicine, to get high? Q: What is cough medicine abuse? Cough medicine abuse is taking extremely large doses of cough medicine to get high. The "high" is caused by taking a large amount of dextromethorphan, which is often abbreviated DXM, a common active ingredient found in many cough medications. This sort of abuse -- whether it's called cough medicine abuse, or dextromethorphan, or DXM abuse -- can be dangerous. Q: What are the effects of cough medicine abuse? The effects of the abuse of cough medicines containing dextromethorphan vary with the amount taken. Common effects include confusion, dizziness, double or blurred vision, slurred speech, loss of physical coordination, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, rapid heart beat, drowsiness, numbness of fingers and toes, and disorientation. DXM abusers describe different "plateaus" ranging from mild distortions of color and sound to visual hallucinations, "out-of-body" dissociative sensations, and loss of motor control. Side effects can be worsened if the dextromethorphan-containing cough medicine being abused also contains other ingredients to treat more than just coughs. Cough medicine also is sometimes abused in combination with other medications, alcohol and illegal drugs, which can increase the dangerous side effects. Q: What Can Parents Do To Prevent Cough Medicine Abuse? Parents are the best anti-drug around. When parents are aware of the dangers, communicate the dangers to their kids and safeguard the medicines at home, kids are less likely to experiment with medicines. |
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December 2007 Issue THINKING A CELL PHONE WOULD MAKE A GREAT CHRISTMAS PRESENT? Before handing cell phones over to your children, ask them what rules of etiquette they believe should apply to cell phone use. Talk to them about rules for public situations and rules for social and family settings. Make your own list of rules. To begin your discussion, use the following list regarding public places: · Not in libraries, movies, elevators, museums, cemeteries, theaters, dentist or doctor waiting rooms, places of worship, auditoriums, hospital emergency rooms, or public transportation. · Never when shopping, banking, waiting in line, or when conducting other personal business. · Never when driving. · Never talking when less than 10 feet from others present. Of course, you'll need to model appropriate mobile phone use; quality time with your kids does not count if you're on the phone. It's not okay to take your kids to the park or on a walk to spend your time on the phone. One of the best times to talk with children (before they acquire their own licenses) is when driving in the car. If you're on your cell phone, how can you carry on a conversation with your child sitting next to you? Together you and your teen can develop cell phone protocol for use in public. You also might want to establish "quiet zones" and" phone-free" areas and times in your home to maintain respect for family situations. |
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December 2007 Issue 7 Tips To Make Family Dinners Work
2. Use Sunday as the day to pick several nights during the upcoming week when the entire family can eat together – and try to stick to this schedule. 3. Encourage your kids to create menu ideas and participate in meal preparation. eating. time spent together. |
