Robitussin & teens...

[Subdued]

I just wanted to warn all the parents of teens about the dangers of Robitussin abuse.

I just spent the night at the hospital with my 16 year old son who OD'd on this stuff. THANK GOD he recovered and is home; but it was quite scary yesterday when I found my son "tripping" and unable to walk or talk. His blood pressure was way up, his heart rate was up, he was hallucinating, mumbling, etc.

This is my straight-A student with grand plans after high school, well-liked, respected son, who has(had?) a relationship with the Lord - he has the Holy Ghost... doing something I NEVER thought he'd EVER do because he KNOWS better. We've had so many talks about the dangers of drugs; even specifically Robitussin. Yet he STILL did this stupid thing.

My son's friend was his cohort/partner in crime, and needed to be hospitalized as well. He has recovered, too, thankfully.

I now know that they were planning to do "bigger & harder" drugs in the near future... PCP, LSD, Mushrooms and Ecstacy(sp?); and that they've already been drinking and smoking pot. I just pray that this scary experience has made an impact on my son & his friend and that they mean it when they say they'll "never" do anything like this again (of course, my son will not have the OPPORTUNITY to do this again for quite some time since he will be WITH ME for a good, long while). They apparently had a "bad trip." And I'm so glad they made it through what could have been a tragic situation.

Please watch your teens. They think this is "fun" and "cool." They think it's harmless because it's an OTC medication. A lot of times, stores won't sell it to minors; but they DID this time - to my son's 15 year old friend. If the store doesn't have it behind the counter, and/or won't sell it to the kids, they often times steal it... all for a moment of "fun."

It can be fatal, though. OR, they could get stuck in a hallucination loop permanently.

Just thought I'd share my story.