Non-prescription DrugsNon-prescription DrugsThis Lesson Plan Produced By Your Drug Demand Reduction This Lesson Plan Produced By Your Drug Demand Reduction
ProgramProgram
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What is Dextromethorphan What is Dextromethorphan (DXM)?(DXM)?
Cough-suppressing ingredient found in Cough-suppressing ingredient found in variety of over-the-counter cold and cough variety of over-the-counter cold and cough medicationsmedications
Dissociative anesthetic, meaning DXM Dissociative anesthetic, meaning DXM effects can include hallucinationseffects can include hallucinations
What Does It Look Like?What Does It Look Like?
Cough syrup, cough and cold tablets Cough syrup, cough and cold tablets or gel caps that are available or gel caps that are available without a prescriptionwithout a prescription
Also, dextromethorphan can be Also, dextromethorphan can be purchased in a powder form, often purchased in a powder form, often over the Internetover the Internet
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How It AppearsHow It Appears
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What are some of the signs What are some of the signs that a person is using DXM?that a person is using DXM?
ConfusionConfusion DizzinessDizziness Double or blurred visionDouble or blurred vision Slurred speechSlurred speech Impaired physical coordinationImpaired physical coordination
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Some Short-term EffectsSome Short-term Effects
Abdominal painAbdominal pain Nausea and vomitingNausea and vomiting Rapid heart beatRapid heart beat DrowsinessDrowsiness Numbness of fingers and toesNumbness of fingers and toes DisorientationDisorientation
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Some Long-term EffectsSome Long-term Effects
Can contain other ingredients, such as Can contain other ingredients, such as acetaminophen; when taken in large acetaminophen; when taken in large quantities, can damage the liverquantities, can damage the liver
Abused with other drugs or alcohol can Abused with other drugs or alcohol can increase the dangerous physical effectsincrease the dangerous physical effects
What is the DEA Federal What is the DEA Federal Classification Schedule for Classification Schedule for
DXM?DXM?
There isn’t a DEA Federal There isn’t a DEA Federal Classification Schedule for DXM.Classification Schedule for DXM.
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What is Pseudo-ephedrine?What is Pseudo-ephedrine?
It is a decongestant ingredient found in a It is a decongestant ingredient found in a variety of over-the-counter cold and cough variety of over-the-counter cold and cough
medications.medications.
What Does It Look Like?What Does It Look Like?
It is found in over-the-counter tablets It is found in over-the-counter tablets and capsules.and capsules.
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How It AppearsHow It Appears
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What are some of the signs What are some of the signs that a person is using pseudo-that a person is using pseudo-
ephedrine?ephedrine?
Medically used to treat congestion Medically used to treat congestion associated with allergies, hay fever, sinus associated with allergies, hay fever, sinus irritation, and the common cold irritation, and the common cold
Used as key ingredient for production of Used as key ingredient for production of methamphetamine methamphetamine
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Some Short and Long-term Some Short and Long-term EffectsEffects
No short or long-term effects listed by No short or long-term effects listed by DEA for the abuse of pseudo-ephedrineDEA for the abuse of pseudo-ephedrine
See those listed for methamphetamine See those listed for methamphetamine
What is the DEA Federal What is the DEA Federal Classification Schedule for Classification Schedule for
pseudo-ephedrine?pseudo-ephedrine?
There isn’t a DEA Federal There isn’t a DEA Federal Classification Schedule for this drug.Classification Schedule for this drug.
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Penalties for PossessionPenalties for Possession
Legally sold ingredients in Legally sold ingredients in prescription drugsprescription drugs
No penalties listed for either drugNo penalties listed for either drug
As a member of CAP, what As a member of CAP, what should you do if you know should you do if you know
someone who is abusing non-someone who is abusing non-prescription drugs?prescription drugs?
Notify one of the following:Notify one of the following:
Deputy Commander for Cadets/Cadet Deputy Commander for Cadets/Cadet Programs OfficerPrograms Officer
Chaplain/Moral Leadership OfficerChaplain/Moral Leadership Officer
Unit CommanderUnit Commander
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Why do people abuse either Why do people abuse either DXM or pseudo-ephedrine?DXM or pseudo-ephedrine?
They don’t read the ingredients on They don’t read the ingredients on over-the-counter medicines.over-the-counter medicines.
To feel better.To feel better.
They think it won’t hurt them.They think it won’t hurt them.
Just don’t care.Just don’t care.
Sure, why not?Sure, why not?
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What are some of the ways you What are some of the ways you can say “No” to drugs without can say “No” to drugs without
isolating yourself?isolating yourself?
I want to stay clean, man!I want to stay clean, man!
I’m scared of what it will do to me.I’m scared of what it will do to me.
Leave me alone!Leave me alone!
Forget it, Dude.Forget it, Dude.
That’s crazy.That’s crazy.
Not me! No time, no where, no how!Not me! No time, no where, no how!
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SummarySummary
DXM can be abused even though it is DXM can be abused even though it is readily available over the counter.readily available over the counter.
Pseudo-ephedrine does not have any DEA Pseudo-ephedrine does not have any DEA penalties listed, which can lead one to penalties listed, which can lead one to believe it is not dangerous. believe it is not dangerous.
So why would you want to use any form of So why would you want to use any form of methamphetamine or any product that is methamphetamine or any product that is used in making methamphetamine? used in making methamphetamine?
Let the world notice you by the good Let the world notice you by the good things that you accomplish in life.things that you accomplish in life.
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Lesson Plan ResourcesLesson Plan Resources
DXM and Pseudo-ephedrineDXM and Pseudo-ephedrine by National by National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Available on Available on www.drugfree.orgwww.drugfree.org
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Available on Available on www.dea.govwww.dea.gov
Don’t march with these guys,
say NO to drugs!
DEAD MEN WALKING
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