Kids are getting creative when it comes to getting high. From drinking off-the-shelf cough syrup to mixing prescription cough suppressants (containing codeine) with soda pop, these kids are playing a dangerous game.
Parents and educators are alarmed by the growing popularity of this trend since an overdose is potentially fatal. However, cough syrup abuse still continues to increase in popularity amongst kids and teens.
Abuse of prescription cough syrup first became popular among drug dealers. 'Syrup' has been extolled in many rap songs, especially since the codeine overdose death of a popular DJ who glorified syrup use in his music and remixes.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Cough Syrup Abuse
- Identifying and addressing the growing trend of kids and teens abusing cough syrup for recreational purposes.
- Mixing Codeine with Soda Pop
- Understanding the dangers and potential fatal outcomes of mixing prescription cough suppressants with soda pop.
- Influence of Music on Substance Abuse
- Exploring the role of popular music, particularly rap songs, in promoting and glorifying the abuse of cough syrup.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Pharmaceuticals
- Developing measures to restrict the availability and misuse of cough syrups containing codeine.
- Education
- Implementing prevention programs and educational campaigns to educate parents, teachers, and students about the dangers of cough syrup abuse.
- Music and Entertainment
- Encouraging responsible messaging and promoting alternatives to glorification of drug abuse in music, particularly within the rap genre.
