Nassau Committee OKs Age Limit to Buy DXM Products

By William Murphy and Rick Brand, Newsday, Melville, N.Y.

Sep. 25–Only adults could buy most cough and cold medicines, which can be abused by youngsters, under legislation that was approved in committee yesterday by the Nassau County Legislature.

The measure, which would cover cough suppressants containing dextromethorphan, known as DXM, was introduced by Legis. Wayne Wink (D-Roslyn) and David Denenberg (D-Merrick).

“When used properly, DXM is great … but when used in excess, it can cause severe side effects, including brain damage and even death,” Wink said at a news conference yesterday with Denenberg and Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey.

Jack Jerden, the executive director of the Long Island Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence, said DXM is common in many cold remedies, including Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold and Cough Medicine, Robitussin products, Sudafed cough medicine and many generic and store brands.

Jerden said publicity about the legislation would help raise awareness among parents that their children might be abusing drugs that are as close as the family medicine cabinet.

The legislation, which prohibits the sale of DXM products to anyone under 18, was approved unanimously in committee and is expected to come up for a vote before the full legislature next month. A similar measure was passed by Suffolk County in May, and will take effect Nov. 15.

Suffolk Health Commissioner Dr. Hank Chaudhry said yesterday letters will be sent out Monday to 2,300 pharmacies, supermarkets and convenience stores as well as trade groups, to alert them to the law’s requirements.

Health officials will provide a flier for stores to hang near cash registers and a link to a federal Web site where retailers can find a complete list of products that include DXM.

Wendy Ladd, health department spokeswoman, said the county will enforce the law using the same inspectors who enforce laws on underage cigarette sales.

Legis. Lynne Nowick (R-Smithtown), who sponsored the Suffolk ban, praised Nassau’s proposal, saying it was “paramount that it pass, so youngsters will not be able to cross the county line to make purchases that will make them high.” She added that an Islandwide ban “will give credibility for a state and even a federal ban.”

“It’s running rampant,” she said, noting that the number of DXM overdose cases at the Long Island Poison Control Center has risen dramatically, from 40 in 2000 to 210 for the first six months of this year.

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