James, 16, has been in and out of drug rehabilitation three times during the past three years.  He requested that we don't use his last name for our report.

He had an addiction to Dextromethorphan, or DXM.  The ingredient is commonly found in over-the-counter cough and cold medicine, usually in pill or syrup form.

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"At a time, I'll try to take between 25-30 (pills)," James said.  "Throughout the whole day, I'll have eaten between 40-50 (pills)."

James said that he should have died from his addiction three or four times.

"It's really easy to obtain (Dextromethorphan)," James said.

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His story comes as no surprise to Mike Powell, a retired sergeant with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.  Powell said that he hears similar stories every day.

Powell, who visits schools and communities as part of the Street Smarts program, said students are very aware of the drug concoctions that can be made with over-the-counter medication.

Street Smarts teaches adults the signs to look for if they suspect children are hiding drugs.

Powell said Kratom is a big problem because of it's similar side effects to illegal drugs.

The plant is legal in all 50 states. 

Purple Drank is another rising trend, commonly seen and heard in pop culture, along with terms like "Doing the Lean," "Sippin" or "Syzzurp," An reported.  According to Powell, Purple Drank essentially includes the cough syrup version of DXM but usually stronger with codeine.

The syrup is poured into a Styrofoam cup with candy and soda.

Everything from "how-to" recipes to Purple Drank's history, ingredients and notable deaths of people who consumed it are on the Internet, An reported.

Homemade videos from children mixing Drank can also be accessed online.

Powell wants parents to look beyond what is inside their home because a water bottle could be rigged to hide something else. 

Candy that looks tasty as a topping could be part of a bigger problem.

"The big thing is liquid Jolly Rancher so you don't have to unwrap all that little candy," Powell said.

James is undergoing treatment with Directions for Youth and Families.  The facility offers after school programs so children have a place to go instead of using drugs and alcohol and being violent.

He said that he hopes he will get back on his feet for good.

The Street Smarts program's success in Franklin County recently received a federal grant to go statewide, An reported.

Stay with 10TV News and 10TV.com for additional information.

More Information:

Directions for Youth and Families 
Family Outreach Substance Abuse Counseling Program  (FOSAC)
1515 Indianola Avenue
Columbus, OH 43201
614-294-2661
E-mail: development@dfyf.org

Ohio Avenue Youth Center
657 South Ohio Avenue
Columbus, OH 43205
614-258-8043

Maryhaven

ADAMH

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