Cold medicine is a dangerous ‘high’ for youth

    HOULTON – Close your eyes and rest, she said. “No,” he answered. “I am afraid I’ll die.”
    This isn’t a Hollywood movie line. It’s a real dialogue between a mother and son on May 24 at the Houlton Regional Hospital.
    Earlier in the evening, Policeman Ezekiel Collins spotted the 19-year-old and two of his buddies making their way up the embankment by the Highland Avenue Bridge, and stopped to check on them.
    Collins called for assistance with officers Stewart Kennedy and Steve Nason responding. As Collins patted down the three males, Sgt. Eric Crouse arrived on the scene, as well.
    In the meantime, Nason recognized the 19-year-old and realized the young man wasn’t acting like himself. Officer Nason asked him if he was “high.” The teenager denied the allegation, but his actions told another story, as he was barely able to speak or keep his eyes open.
    Nason, concerned about the teen’s well being, asked the young man to come clean, and eventually he did, admitting he had consumed an over-the-counter cold medication. Not just what was prescribed for normal use, but 26 pills. In his state, the youth could not remember when or where he had self-administered the medication.
    Nason requested an ambulance and the teen was then transported to Houlton Regional Hospital … and just in time.
    “If he hadn’t called for the ambulance, my son would have died,” said Lynn Cullins.
    Holden Gray, wanting to get “high,” had taken “Triple C,” also known as over-the-counter Coricidin cough medicine sold at any drug store, the local convenience store, department store, supermarket or the Internet, without a prescription.
    By taking this antihistamine in large doses — often required to produce the desired “high” — the liver cannot break down the chemicals quickly enough, causing poisoning.
    Gray turned jaundice, his heart was racing and if he had laid down and went to sleep, his mother said she would be at a funeral home not standing in the Pioneer Times office talking about how she wanted to thank each officer publicly.
    Overdose symptoms of Coricidin may include dizziness, drowsiness, feeling restless or nervous, dry mouth, warmth or tingly feeling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, increased sweating, seizure (convulsions) or coma.
    Hospitalizations and death have resulted in overdoses of Coricidin.
    After ingesting around four charcoal-based antidotes and waiting for it to work, Gray’s vital signs returned to normal and he was out of danger, but hopefully will think before acting on what seems harmless.
    Gray was released from the hospital at 11:25 p.m. and taken directly into custody for violating his probation.
    “I want to express my heartfelt thanks to officers Collins, Kennedy, Nason and Crouse,” said Cullins. “My son had accidentally overdosed, but it is just one more way for my child or anyone’s child to get ‘high’ just by going to any store to purchase cold medicines to get that thrill, and believe me when I say, I know full well what I’m talking about … seeking that rush … because I’m a recovering alcoholic.”
    Cullins readily admits her son made a poor choice that evening, and she isn’t saying anyone should feel “sorry” for her son, but what she wants people to understand is just how accessible drugs can be to kids.
    “When I got the call that my son had been taken to the hospital for an overdose, I know my heart stopped,” said Cullins. “I was so scared for him … then, I was mad at him … then I was mad at myself … then I was mad at how easy it is for kids to get a hold of this stuff … cold medicine of all things.”
    Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin warns parents to be aware.
    “Some parents may not be aware that over-the-counter drugs can potentially be abused by adolescents or young adults looking to get high,” he said. “It is important that we all educate ourselves about the potential abuse of products that we have used all of our lives without any side effects. I would recommend that all parents make a habit of closely monitoring the use of common cold remedies in the home. These medications are safe and effective when used as directed, but some youth are drawn to an ingredient found in nearly half of these medications called dextromethorphan or DXM, which is a cough suppressant.”
     When taken in excess, dextromethorphan can produce a “high” or cause psychoactive effects, said Asselin. Any product containing dextromethorphan when taken in large does can have adverse effects such as impaired judgment and mental performance, loss of coordination, dizziness, hot flashes, dissociation and hallucinations.
    “Unfortunately, there are Web sites that actually encourage teenagers to abuse dextromethorphan and offer recipes for the best way to achieve a high,” Asselin said.
    Asselin said Gray is “one lucky individual.”
    “Someone was watching over him the evening of May 25 and I am sure he learned a valuable lesson in life,” he said. “As a police chief, I am not at all surprised by the actions taken by these officers. The officers of the department display great police instincts and intuition when it comes to the performance of their duties.
    “The actions of the officers involved are a testament to their training, hard work and dedication to the profession of law enforcement and to this community,” Asselin said. “Had it not been for their collective actions, this young man may have lost his life.”