Alaska becomes 11th state to restrict DXM sales to adults

JUNEAU, Alaska - Alaska recently became the 11th state to help prevent the growing abuse threat posed by products containing dextromethorphan by restricting the sale of products containing DXM to Alaskans over the age of 18, or under 18 with a licensed practitioner’s prescription.

 

“Thank you to my colleagues for passing this bill to protect Alaska teens, the largest risk group for these powerful medicines,” stated Rep. Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage, and the House Majority Leader, when the bill passed through the Alaska House earlier this year. “When used correctly, medicines with DXM are safe; high doses can lead to some nasty outcomes, like hallucinations, blurred visions and loss of motor control. We need to keep our kids safe. That’s how HB125 can help.”

 

Leader Millett referenced a 2013 study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (Monitoring Our Future) that reported 4% of 8th to 12th graders, teenagers, have intentionally consumed excessive amounts of cough medicine.

 

"CHPA thanks [Alaska] Gov. Bill Walker for signing the bill into law and House Majority Leader Charisse Millett and Sen. Mia Costello for shepherding the bill through the legislative process," stated Scott Melville, president and CEO of the Consumer Healthcare Products Associatoin. "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," he said. "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."