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Teens Creating Legal Concoctions of Over-the-Counter Drugs that Can Be Fatal
Drank, Kratom, and DXM are among the latest addictions that are secretly taking over youth, reported Angela An of Ohio’s 10 TV News.
An spoke to 16-year-old James, who has been in and out of drug rehabilitation three times during the past three years for an addiction to dextromethorphan, or DXM, an ingredient commonly found in over-the-counter cough and cold medicine.
"At a time, I'll try to take between 25 and 30 (pills)," James said. "Throughout the whole day, I'll have eaten between 40 and 50."
James said that he should have died from his addiction three or four times. "It's really easy to obtain,” he said of DXM.
James is currently undergoing treatment with Directions for Youth and Families, a facility that offers after-school programs so teens have a safe place to go. He said that he hopes he will get back on his feet for good.
James’ story comes as no surprise to Mike Powell, a retired sergeant with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
Powell, who visits schools and communities as part of the Street Smarts program, said students are very aware of the drug concoctions that can be made with over-the-counter medication. Street Smarts teaches adults to look for signs of drug abuse among their children.
Powell said that Kratom, a plant that is legal in all 50 states, is a big problem because of its similar side effects to illegal drugs.
Purple Drank is another rising trend, mentioned in pop culture as "Doing the Lean," "Sippin" or "Syzzurp.” According to Powell, Purple Drank essentially includes the cough syrup version of DXM but usually with codeine; the syrup is then poured into a Styrofoam cup with candy and soda.
Everything from "how-to" recipes to Purple Drank's history, ingredients, and notable deaths of people who consumed it can be found on the Internet, along with homemade videos of adolescents mixing Drank.
Powell wants parents to look beyond what is inside their home—for instance, a water bottle or sports drink bottle could be hiding something else. Candy could also be a sign of a bigger problem.
"The big thing is liquid Jolly Rancher so you don't have to unwrap all that little candy," Powell said.
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