Op-ed: New Law To Stop ‘Robo-tripping’ Needs a Village To Make it Work

When we were growing up, the drugs of choice for teenagers were beer and marijuana. So much has changed. Now, kids are into hard liquor and a variety of really dangerous drugs.

Dextromethorphan (DXM) is one such drug. Taken as directed in products such as Robitussin and Coricidin, it is safe and effective. But when taken at higher doses, DXM can cause hallucinations, loss of motor control, vomiting, paranoia, numbness, lethargy, slurred speech and “out-of-body” sensations similar to PCP and LSD.

But now, we fervently hope, the abuse of DXM will decrease. As of Jan. 1, a new law authored by state Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, prohibits the sale of cold and cough medicines containing DXM to minors.

View the full story (Palo Alto Daily News)

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