Teens Taking Too Much Cold Medicine To Get High

PAW PAW (Newschannel 3) - They're easily available to help cure coughs, colds or other ailments that can slow you down. But young people are finding more dangerous uses for these over-the-counter medicines, and one is becoming more popular than ever. While adults often take them to relieve cold symptoms, some kids in Paw Paw are taking them too, and they are part of a growing and dangerous trend nationwide. They're called Coricidan Cough and Cold pills, which are sold over-the-counter. But to kids looking to get high, they're known as Triple C's, Red Devils, or sometimes Skittles, for their similar appearance to the candy. But the tiny red pills are far from sweet, says Dr. Rashmi Kothar, who works in the Emergency Room at Borgess Hospital. "If you take 20, 30, 40, you can die from it," said Dr. Kothar. It may sound ridiculous to most people, but taking the pills in multiples of ten is exactly what kids are doing, trying to use two ingredients in them to get high. The first is dextromethorphan, an ingredient commonly found in cold medicines, and the second is an antihistamine. "(The antihistamine) can make you really sedated or fall asleep," said Dr. Kothar. "The other medication can cause seizures." Deputy Trever Tate, a Paw Paw Schools Liaison Officer, says kids taking the pills often don't realize what they're taking. "I say, 'Hey, do you know what you're taking?' They'll say, 'I'm not sure, they called it Triple C's'." This nonchalant attitude is very concerning to Dr. Kothar, who says next time may not be a laughing matter. "Maybe this time it's funny, they're acting goofy and get to go home," he said. "But next time, they can come in dead." That thought scares one concerned parent in Paw Paw, who didn't want to reveal her identity. "I had never heard of Triple C's before," she said. And that is what most parents are probably thinking. But this woman's daughter was one of the middle schoolers from Paw Paw who was given twelve of the tiny pills by a high school student. "This is a very real and dangerous situation," she told Newschannel 3. "It has the potential of taking our children from us." But trying to stop this trend in Michigan is hard. The high school girl who handed out pills in Paw Paw only got ten days suspension, and nothing more. Newschannel 3 spoke with the principal at Paw Paw High School, who said if the law was different, they would have tried to get the girl prosecuted. Deputy Tate has also sent a letter to parents in the district, and below are some tips from that letter: 1. Don't be in denial. This problem is not based on socioeconomics, race or gender. It can happen to anyone! 2. Talk to your kids! Ask them about over-the-counter medication abuse. Tell them the dangers and risks that are associated with with this addiction. 3. Keep your eyes open. Your kid's room is your property. Take the time to investigate. They shouldn't have anything to hide from you. Look for items that could be associated with this problem: boxes, bottles, left-over packaging, etc. 4. Keep your ears open. Listen to what your kids are talking about. Common terminology associated with DXM: Robo, Skittles, Triple C's, Vitamin D, etc. 5. Keep track of your kids. Verify that they are going where they tell you they are going. Don't lose trust in them, but certainly realize they are teenagers and they will test their boundaries. You are in charge, not them! If you have children in the Paw Paw Public Schools and you have any questions, you can call School Liaison Deputy Tate at (269) 657-8898 ext. 6401.