Bono Mack Works to Prevent Abuse of Over-the-Counter Drugs

Press Release

Bono Mack Works to Prevent Abuse of Over-the-Counter Drugs

Building on her ongoing efforts to raise awareness for the dangers of substance abuse and addiction, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today joined Congressman Fred Upton (MI-06) in introducing bipartisan legislation to better control the highly addictive and potentially dangerous substance used in cough syrup - dextromethorphan (DXM). The Dextromethorphan Distribution Act will help curb the alarming increase in DXM abuse - especially among youth - in recent years.

"Far too many teenagers think that DXM is a ‘safe' drug because it's found in over-the-counter medicines," said Bono Mack. "In reality, DXM can cause serious damages and can be highly addictive. Millions of teenagers are dangerously affected by this drug that is intended to help treat the common cold. It is time that we as policymakers take action to better control this substance and work to raise awareness of this very serious issue facing our youth. I am pleased to join in this bipartisan effort that will help better control unfinished DXM and keep our children safe."

"The abuse of dextromethorphan is an urgent health threat facing teens in our country," said Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of the nonprofit Partnership for a Drug-Free America. "Controlling bulk supply of DXM is a critical step toward reducing the prevalence of a dangerous behavior that 2.4 million teens report engaging in during their lifetime. The work of policymakers, combined with the efforts of concerned parents communicating the risks of DXM abuse to their kids, will have a significant positive impact on this issue."

Studies have shown that teenagers are obtaining unfinished DXM to get high by consuming large amounts of the powder or mixing it with alcohol, and research indicates that abuse of DXM has increased sharply in recent years. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America last week announced the findings of its 20th annual teen study which revealed nearly 7 percent or 1.7 million teens have used cough medicines to get high in the past year. In addition, according to a report released last year by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), nearly 3.1 million children in the U.S. aged 12 to 25 (5.3 percent of this age group) have used over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to get high at least once.

Bono Mack encourages anyone interested in additional information on Dextromethorphan to visit the website sponsored by the Partnership for a Drug Free America at www.dxmstories.com.

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