Oklahoma teens getting high on cough syrup focus of legislation

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma teenagers too young to buy alcohol are apparently turning to cough syrup for a cheap high.<br/><br/>State Representative John Nance says at least 90 overdoses have been reported

Tuesday, February 14th 2006, 6:03 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma teenagers too young to buy alcohol are apparently turning to cough syrup for a cheap high.

State Representative John Nance says at least 90 overdoses have been reported in the state during the past year from drinking excessive amounts of cough syrup containing dextromethorphan.

Nance is authoring a bill that would require moving the medicine behind a pharmacy counter. The bill was approved by a state House committee Monday.

Nance says theft of the cough syrup also is becoming a problem and says consuming large amounts of the medicine gives you -- quote -- "a pretty good buzz."

Some members expressed concern that moving the cough syrup will cause more headaches for pharmacists and other retailers. The bill now goes to the full house for a vote.