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Upton Bill to Protect Kids Passes House

Measure bans bulk sale of cough syrup ingredient commonly abused by kids to get high - numerous cases of abuse have resulted in death throughout the country

WASHINGTON, DC - The United States House of Representatives today unanimously approved by voice vote Congressman Fred Upton's (R-St. Joseph) legislation to crack down on the bulk sale of an ingredient of cough syrup that kids have used to get high.  The Dextromethorphan (DXM) Distribution Act of 2006 (H.R. 5280) would make it illegal to distribute unfinished DXM to a person or company not registered with the FDA.  The measure, which Upton co-authored with Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA), will help prevent the unapproved production, sale and use of DXM as a "street drug." Upton is hopeful that the Senate will also pass the measure later this week.  H.R. 5280 is one of the final pieces of legislation to be considered by the 109th Congress before it adjourns. 

"As a parent of two teenagers, I am alarmed by the number of teens abusing cough syrup and pure DXM to get a high," said Upton.  "Kids are under the false impression that getting high off of DXM is harmless because it is an ingredient in cough syrup.  Nothing can be further from the truth.  Our kids are playing a game of Russian roulette each time they get high off of DXM.  Sooner or later, someone dies.  Enough is enough.  As it stands, DXM is only a click of a mouse away from arriving on our kids' doorsteps.  This common sense piece of legislation will put an end to the bulk sale of DXM over the Internet, and keep our kids safe from the dangers of this type of drug abuse."

DXM is a non-narcotic cough suppressant used in cough medicines and cough drops.  While these medicines are used safely by millions of Americans each year to relieve cold and flu symptoms, when taken in extremely large quantities the main ingredient - DXM - produces a hallucinogenic high.  Trends show that teenagers across the country are abusing DXM to produce this high.

"We congratulate Congressman Upton, Congressman Larsen and all who have supported this legislation, which is an important step that will help protect a new generation of young people from abusing pure DXM," said Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America. "According to the Partnership's latest tracking study, one in ten teens has intentionally abused over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines to get high.  The abuse of DXM is part of a larger troubling trend we are monitoring involving teen abuse of prescription and OTC medications."

The companies and pharmacists that regularly work with this ingredient do not want DXM to be the next Meth and they know that there is absolutely no reason to have this bulk ingredient available outside of the regular channels of drug manufacturing.  Allegan's Perrigo approached Upton in support of limiting the bulk sale of DXM.

"As the 109th Congress winds down, I am hopeful that we can get this important legislation across the goal line before time expires," said Upton.  "This is too important an issue, with kids' lives hanging in the balance, not to get done.  Pure DXM taken in its powdered form can cause brain damage, seizures, and even death.  This legislation sends a strong message to those individuals who are illegally peddling this drug to our teenagers to stop at once or suffer severe consequences." 

According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, 1 in 10 teenagers used cough medicines to get high.  The large dose of cough medicine needed to produce the desired high often leaves the user extremely nauseous and sick.  As such, teens have started illegally purchasing pure DXM in its powder form - not intended for human consumption - over the Internet.  The legislation is endorsed by the American Pharmacists Association, Consumer Healthcare Products Association, Food Marketing Institute, National Association of Chain Drug Stores and The Partnership for a Drug Free America

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