Disturbing drug trend invades Murphy
By Lizz Harold Sentinel Writer

Teens across the nation are turning to the cough syrup, Robitussin, for a new thrill that goes beyond curing the common cold.

Like other domestic substances used to catch a high such as glue, markers, or spray paint, the popular cough syrup Robitussin is being abused for its hallucinogenic properties.

Offering a high that ranges form a general buzz to psychotic or surreal behavior, “robotripping” or “roboing” is an unconventional but not uncommon means of getting high in Cherokee County.

“I know about five to nine people who’ve done it,” commented Thomas Sumpter of Murphy. “They drink two or three bottles of Robitussin,” he explained with distaste.

When asked about the after effect of taking the cough syrup in immense quantities, Sumpter simply replied, “I disapproved of it.”

By drinking more than the recommended dosage of the medicine, “syrup heads” or abusers, experience dream like states of lucidity wherein one can hear voices, talk to imaginary people, and have skewed perceptions of space and time.

Dextromethorphan (DXM), the drug found in Robitussin and countless other cough suppressants, is essentially used to control cough reflexes. However this patented, over-the counter drug has psychedelic properties equal to that of the illegal drugs PCP (phencyclidine) and LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide.)

Of the 30 students polled from Murphy High School. 58% reported of hearing about or knowing of robo-tripping or the illegal consumption of cough syrups. However, of all the students asked, none said they had ever taken the drug.

“The last incident we have had with robo tripping was six months ago,” said Murphy Police Officer Charles Kilby, who has been on the police force for approximately four years.

In the last two years, Kilby has seen only three cases in which a cough syrup was being used illegally.

The inexpensive and accessible cough syrups serves as an easy way for teenagers and late twenty-year-olds to get high, however Kilby explained a shocking rise in a different domestic product.

“Robo tripping is a problem, but I have seen more people who consume mouthwash illegally,” said Kilby.

Evidently, lethal drug cocktails can be created at home by everyday means. These household narcotics are not as easily stopped by the police and the solution is a difficult task to face. “Mouthwash and Robitussin can be like any other drug,” expressed Kilby. “The best solution is for people to get counseling.”

As for controlling the use of such products as mouthwash, cough syrups, and DXM, there is no way of preventing the over consumption of them.

“A problem like this needs awareness,” said Christy Russell, a pharmacist of six years who is currently working in the prescription center of the local Wal-Mart.

Russell has seen new restrictions put on such medicines as Sudafed and recommends the same limits be put on cough syrups and other problem drugs.

“It’s a hassle,” commented Russell. “But it could save lives.”