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22nd January 2002
Dear
Friends,
CODEINE COUGH MIXTURE ABUSE
The lure of
lucrative profits has led to the abuses in sales of cough mixtures containing
the drug codeine. These cough preparations are being indiscriminately sold to
vulnerable targets, with drug addicts and youths being the prime victims.
These mixtures are
intended for use as a cough suppressant and are deemed harmless in the public
eye. However, it must be noted that the active ingredient, codeine, is a
narcotic drug and its effects resemble those of morphine. It has the potential
to cause addictive, or habit-forming, dependency.
A narcotic drug is
dangerous in large doses, causing stupor, coma, convulsions or death. Withdrawal
symptoms such as stomach cramps, muscle aches and pains, nausea, anxiety,
feelings of fear, craving, weakness and body chills can occur following
indiscriminate use.
The abuse of codeine cough mixture sales
supports the addiction habits of drug addicts. There is no good reason to
justify the use of these narcotic cough mixtures as there are safer
alternative treatments available. Furthermore, in many cases a cough is
beneficial, an automatic reflex that the body employs to rid itself of
accumulated phlegm in the chest.
Crimes involving
other narcotics such as heroin and marijuana result in harsh legal penalties for
the offenders. CAP believes that similar strong measures are needed to curb yet
another ugly facet of drug-pushing and addiction.
CAP has been
calling for a ban on the sale of this narcotic medication. Instituting a ban
will allow powers to pass to other agencies such as the police. The harsher
punitive actions that follow will act as another deterrent in the control of
drug abuse.
Some countries,
like Egypt and Nepal, have taken such strong measures. We would like to hear of
the situation in other countries, namely:
Ø
is there a ban on the sale of codeine cough mixtures in your
country, and if so, what were the circumstances which led to such a ban;
and,
Ø
if no ban exists, how is the sale of codeine cough mixtures
controlled.
We would
appreciate any information you can share with us.
Kireen
(on
behalf of:
S.M.
MOHAMED IDRIS
President
Consumers Association of Penang
228,
Jalan Macalister,
10400
Penang,
Malaysia.)
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