The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), the trade association representing the leading manufacturers and marketers of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, released the following statement in support of an Alaska law prohibiting the sale of OTC medicines containing the cough suppressant dextromethorphan (DXM) to minors.

“CHPA thanks Governor Bill Walker for signing the bill into law and House Majority Leader Charisse Millett and Senator Mia Costello for shepherding the bill through the legislative process,” CHPA President and CEO Scott Melville said.

“Alaska is the eleventh state to pass a law addressing the issue of cough medicine abuse among teens. Alaska will join states across the country that have recognized that limiting teen access to DXM is a proven way to prevent abuse. CHPA has long supported state efforts to curb teen OTC cough medicine abuse and has worked to increase parental awareness through its StopMedicineAbuse.org campaign. We know that this legislation will inform parents of this problem, while ensuring access for the millions of families who responsibly use products containing DXM to treat common cough symptoms.”

According to the 2015 National Institute on Drug Abuse’s (NIDA’s) annual Monitoring the Future survey, one in 30 teens abuses OTC cough medicine containing DXM to get high. To learn more about the side effects of DXM abuse and obtain access to toolkits, brochures, and other educational materials for parents and community leaders, visit StopMedicineAbuse.org.

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