Teen cough-syrup abuse worries panel

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A state panel this month will consider restricting over-the-counter sales of Robitussin-DM and other cough remedies because they apparently have found a niche among teen-age drug abusers, officials said Tuesday.

In one case last winter, police in the Pennsylvania community of Waynesboro discovered dozens of discarded cough medicine bottles at a park frequented by teens. An officer in the town of Williamsport said a local boy reportedly suffered kidney problems because of his long-term abuse of cough syrups.

“The fact is they are using the substance to get high,” said Gerald Keenan, a physician’s aide in Waynesboro.

“We could not believe at the time we saw this that the level of intoxication … was caused by cough syrup,” he said.

A group of pharmacists from south-central Pennsylvania has asked the state Department of Health to pull Robitussin and other cough medicines containing dextromethorphan from store shelves, placing it under the control of pharmacists.