Washington, D.C. - U.S. Reps. Rick Larsen (D-WA) and Fred Upton (R-MI) announced today that H.R. 5280, the Dextromethorphan (DXM) Distribution Act of 2006, passed the U.S. House of Representatives by voice vote.  The bill makes it illegal to distribute unfinished DXM to a person or company not registered with the FDA and will help prevent its illegal use.

“As a parent of two young boys, I am deeply concerned by the growing number of children consuming cough syrup and pure DXM to get high.  This legislation sends a strong message to ‘stop or pay the price’ to the individuals who illegally distribute this dangerous drug to our nation’s children over the Internet,” said Larsen.

He continued, “This is a common sense bill.  The only people who should be buying unfinished DXM are those who manufacture cough and cold medicines.”

DXM is a non-narcotic cough suppressant used in many over-the-counter cough and cold medicines.  While these medicines are used safely by millions of Americans each year, when taken in extremely large quantities DXM produces a hallucinogenic high.  Research shows that teenagers are obtaining unfinished DXM to get high by consuming large amounts of the powder or mixing it with alcohol.

“DXM is very dangerous when abused.  Large amounts of unfinished DXM can cause brain damage, seizures, and even death.”

In April of 2005, two teenagers from Whatcom County overdosed on DXM they had purchased online.  The investigation of their deaths showed the teens had ordered the drug over the Internet from two men in Indiana who were selling pure DXM after obtaining it from sources in India.  Three other children from Florida and Virginia also died from overdosing on DXM they had purchased from the same two men.

“We must protect our kids from a new form of drug dealer – dealers who are promoting and selling illegal substances to our children over the Internet.”
Larsen is the original Democratic co-sponsor of the Dextromethorphan Distribution Act of 2006.  The legislation is endorsed by the Partnership for a Drug-free America, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the American Pharmacists Association, the Food and Marketing Association, and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.  The bill will now move to the U.S. Senate.

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