From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
Survey Reveals Extent of Cough Syrup Abuse by Teens on the Island of Grand Bahama
By Olivia Curry, CPhT
Mar 30, 2012 - 10:30:51 AM
Freeport,
Grand Bahama - Cough medicine- we all use it, but when does use become
abuse? Local pharmacy technician, Olivia Curry, explained how teens in
Grand Bahama are misusing this all too common medication. In a recent
research product entitled, Disaster Drinks: Easy to Mix, Easy to Abuse
Ms. Curry examined the misuse of cough syrup by adolescents ranging in
age from 12 to 18. Some 600 teens were surveyed for this effort.
“Cough
syrup misuse has never been studied in the Bahamas so this project is
the first of its kind and I am happy to have had the opportunity to
address this growing problem,” stated Ms. Curry. The study which
surveyed 320 males and 280 females from various high schools around the
island provided a candid look into the lives of Grand Bahamian youth.
“Initially I wanted to survey all eighth, tenth and twelfth grade
students but I soon realized my expectations were overly ambitious as
resources were limited and it was time consuming to say the least to get
school administrators on board so I settled with a random sample of two
hundred students from each of the grade levels,” continued Curry.
The
survey was completed anonymously by the teens and revealed an alarming
trend. Students as young as twelve were not only abusing “sizzurp” as it
is referred to in numerous rap songs but they have also gone as far as
attempting the party drug ecstasy. Some students admitted to having
skipped school to consume the cough syrup mix while others highlighted
that at times they remain on campus while “high” on cough syrup. Though
young men cited peer pressure as their number one reason for drinking
cough syrup what stood out was the response of teenage girls who also
drink the recreational mix. Over half the young women surveyed mentioned
that they drink the mix to decrease unhappy feelings and escape a
seemingly unhappy reality.
Curry
attempted to make a connection between educational aspirations and
cough syrup abuse however there was no clear link to post secondary
academic pursuits and an increased risk of misuse. “In a conversation
with one of the high school students he said that this trend is not
something seen solely in the public school system. Private school
students are drinking it as well and it doesn’t matter if their of
Bahmaian, Haitian or Jamacian descent. Everyone is trying it.” Curry
mentioned.
Of
the available establishments to purchase cough and cold medications the
teens preferred buying their supplies from gas stations more so than
convenience stores and pharmacies. Not surprisingly 46% of survey
participants prefer indulging in cough syrup consumption while at a
friend’s house instead of their guardian’s house. 37% mentioned drinking
it in public areas like parks or at the beach.
The
Disaster Drinks report notes the risks factors that can lead to teenage
misuse of cough syrup and provides recommendations to address the
problem. “A fellow pharmacy tech in Nassau noted that they moved one
brand of cough suppressant behind the pharmacy counter and the US state
of
California passed a bill making it illegal to sell cough medications
containing dextromethorphan to minors in an attempt to curb this growing
trend. These are all things we can look into to address this problem,”
stated Curry.
Stay
Clean Don’t Lean is a facebook page started by Ms. Curry to educate
Bahamians and keep the general public abreast on this timely issue. The
term lean illustrates the effect of “chugging” cough syrup. After
consuming the beverage some people lose their ability to stand upright.
"The page is the first of many educational discussions I hope to start
on this topic. Anyone involved in youth development knows the dangers of
underage drug abuse. We must all be proactive in determining just how
often and how much young people are drinking cough syrup and also where
they are obtaining the drug from.”
Curry,
an aspiring medical practitioner, has long been involved in youth
outreach programs and it is her hope that through this work and
subsequent sharing of information that research into Bahamian youth
culture is accelerated and lifestyles are improved through various
community initiatives.
Miss Curry can be reached at:
oliviacurry@gmail.com
Related article:
Parental Alert: Cough Syrup
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