N.J. becomes 9th state to restrict sale of DXM

TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey governor Chris Christie took action Tuesday by signing a bill aimed at prohibiting the sale of medications containing dextromethorphan, a substance found in more than 120 over-the-counter cold medications, to any person under the age of 18 unless they have a prescription. New Jersey is the ninth state to implement a law restricting the sale of DXM-containing products to adults. 

 

“The enactment of similar legislation in states across the country has indicated that limiting teen access to DXM is a proven way to prevent abuse,” stated Scott Melville, president and CEO of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association. “We are confident that this law will further allow parents to prevent abuse among their children, while continuing to ensure access for the millions of adults and families who responsibly use products containing DXM to treat common cough symptoms.”

 

The New Jersey legislation addresses the growing problem of teenagers overusing or abusing dextromethorphan to get high and requires the Department of Health to post a link on its website containing a list of products in which dextromethorphan is an active ingredient. 

 

The new law will take effect on Feb. 1, 2016.

 

According to the 2014 National Institute on Drug Abuse’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.