Deadly Trend: Over The Counter Drugs

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Back then, cough medicine or painkillers were used to treat the common cold. Now in days they are being used particularly different which contradicts its initial use. More and more teens are abusing over the counter medicine, otherwise known as OTC drugs to try to achieve that “high” effect. “Many of these products are widely available and can be purchased at supermarkets, drugstores, and convenience stores. Many OTC drugs that are intended to treat headaches, sinus pressure, or cold/flu symptoms contain the active ingredient dextromethorphan (DXM) and are the ones that teens are using to get high” (“Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse”). Although the percentage on teens abusing illegal drugs has decreased in the past years, over-the-counter drugs (OTC) abusers have increased in abundance. Therefore leads me to believe that there should be stricter laws that limit the access to OTC to prevent teens from acquiring them. To begin with, some background knowledge on OTC drugs and what is their initial intention for them. Over the counter drugs can be purchased at any pharmacy or drug store and also found at home. One of the most common is cough medicine, used to treat symptoms that come with the common cold or flu. Such as headaches, sinus problems, sore throat. As mentioned above the active ingredient in cough syrup is (DXM). Another commonly used OTC drug is painkillers. Now this are used to relieve “…minor aches and pains such as headache, backache, muscle aches, toothache, menstrual cramps, minor pain of arthritis, and aches and pains due to the common cold. Some pain relievers are also labeled for migraine” ("Pain Relievers and Fever Reducers"). The active ingredient in most painkillers is “acetaminophen and ibuprofen” ("Pain Relievers ... ... middle of paper ... ...ver-The-Counter Overdoses: A Review Of Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, And Aspirin Toxicity In Adults." Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal 30.4 (2008): 369-378. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 Dec. 2013. King, Keith A., Rebecca A. Vidourek, and Ashley L. Merianos. "Psychosocial Factors Associated With “Over-The-Counter Drug Abuse Among Youth." American Journal Of Health Studies 28.2 (2013):68-76. Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 Dec. 2013. "Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse." Parents. The Anti-Drug. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. "Pain Relievers and Fever Reducers." OTCsafety. CHPA Educational Foundation, n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2013. Poland, Scott. "Teenage Over-The-Counter Drug Abuse." District Administration 47.2 (2011): 70.Academic Search Premier. Web. 1 Dec. 2013. "What Parents Need to Know About Teen OTC Drug Use." Teen Over the Counter and Prescription Drug Abuse. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.

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