The latest trend in cheap highs for youths isn't sneaking into their parents' vicodin or huffing harmful fumes. Instead, kids looking for a quick high need only go to their local gas station and pick up a bottle of Robitussin or a couple cans of Red Bull along with their pack of gum and candy bar.
U.S. officials recently made history when banning the sale of a nutritional supplement found in over-the-counter products, Ephedra. Ephedra is the alluring ingredient in yellow jackets, Ripped Fuel, and other dietary and nutritional supplemental products. Yellow jackets, the little yellow pills sold in packs of three and commonly cozied up next to the cash register for sleepy, impulse buyers, was a staple among cheap gas-station highs until the ban on Ephedra was announced in December 2003. The FDA reported that Ephedra presents an unreasonable risk to the health of those taking it.
However, the array of gas-station highs is abounding, and abusers looking for a quick and easy high are shifting their glassy-eyed gaze to over-the-counter medicines and heavily advertised energy drinks such as Red Bull and AMP energy drink, made by the makers of Mountain Dew.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, youth abuse of over-the-counter drugs such as Coricidin and Robitussin is on the rise. These drugs can easily be stolen or bought from gas stations or pharmacies and produce a high similar to the hallucinatory effects of LSD.
"They call that Robo-dosing. They do it with decongestants and even Benadryl," local CVS pharmacist Shane Anderson said.
Anderson said sometimes the kids steal the drugs. However, even when the drugs are purchased, Anderson is powerless in preventing kids from abusing the drugs once they bring them out of the store.
Dextromethorphan, or DXM, is the stimulating ingredient in more than 120 nonprescription medicines, such as Coricidin, that triggers hallucinations and loss of motor control when taken in excess. DXM also elevates blood pressure if taken in large quantities and can even be fatal, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration department of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Caffeine is another commonly abused substance readily available for purchase in either liquid or pill form. Advertising for Red Bull and other energy drinks has surged a slamming of competing companies trying to earn a buck from the energy drink craze. Mountain Dew launched AMP shortly after the occurrence of Red Bull in America and Jones Soda Co. has even gotten in on the act with a canned caffeinated beverage of its own, Energy.
Red Bull attracts buyers with claims written on the can such as improving performance "especially during times of increased stress or strain," and "increasing concentration." Red Bull also makes gain on the dieting craze by claiming the drink "stimulates the metabolism."-á
Caffeine is also sold in a convenient, popable pill form. Medicines such as Vivarin, No-Doz, Dexatrim, Excedrin and Anacin contain varying amounts of caffeine.
Abusers simply take a handful of caffeinated pills or two or more cans of Red Bull to feel a quick rush or high.
According to a book called "Caffeine Blues: Wake up to the Hidden Dangers of America's #1 Drug," written by Stephen Cherniske, M.S., caffeine is a psychoactive drug and "human beings tend to crave substances that alter their state of mind," such as morphine, nicotine, and cocaine.
To enhance that craving and aim toward a younger audience, manufacturers pump their ad campaigns full of claims of aiding concentration, alertness and vitalizing body and mind.
"It doesn't really make you more alert, but it will make you jittery," Amanda Strauss, Ball Memorial Hospital dietitian said.
Caffeine packs a more harmful punch than advertisers propose. Abusers and daily users of caffeine can easily become dependent on this gas-station drug.
"You can be dependent on it -- addicted -- and get headaches (from withdrawal)," Strauss said.
Cherniske also says in his book that withdrawing from a caffeine addiction can involve vomiting, depression, irritability and profound fatigue. The International Food Information Council suggests that 200-300 milligrams of caffeine per day is an acceptable amount to ingest on a regular basis.-á
To put things in perspective, a cup of coffee contains about 100 milligrams of coffee, and a can of Pepsi or Coke contains about 55 milligrams. A single dose of Dexatrim or Vivarin contains 200 milligrams of caffeine and one dose of No-Doz regular contains 100 milligrams Red Bull has 80 milligrams per can.
Abusers of these products take multiple doses at a time, far surpassing the suggested daily intake of caffeine, into the levels of 1,000 or more milligrams of ingested caffeine. Bars have even noticed the trend in energy drinks and have started serving alcoholic drinks with Red Bull as a mixer, which is another way to abuse caffeine if taken in dangerous quantities.
Currently, the FDA does not require manufacturers to label food products such as Red Bull with the amount of caffeine in the product. However, Energy's can warns consumers to limit consumption of the beverage to no more than two cans a day and to avoid drinking if pregnant.
However, speed-hungry abusers looking for a legitimate high, sans the risk of being sent to jail for illegal possession and at a cost less than a few bucks a pop, continue to find their way to the gas-station refrigerator case or medicine aisle to snag a quick high from legally harmful substances.
sidebar:
Information from the book "Caffeine Blues: Wake Up to the Hidden Dangers of America's #1 Drug" by Stephen Cherniske, M.S.
Derivations of Caffeine
Caffeine, produced by more than 80 species of plants, is used as a pesticide to ensure survival of the plant and discourage insects from eating the bitter leaves. The side effects of eating the plant usually discourages the animal from eating the plant again.
Food Regulations
Companies can add any amount of caffeine to any food or beverage without labeling the amount on the package.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
