Hohenfels restricts over-the-counter products after six teens are caught abusing medicine

[unhappycamper]

Hohenfels restricts over-the-counter products after six teens are caught abusing medicine
By Seth Robson, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Thursday, January 3, 2008

GRAFENWÖHR, Germany — U.S. Army Garrison Hohenfels is cracking down on over-the-counter drug sales to minors after authorities caught six teenagers abusing the products.

In a command message last month, the Hohenfels commander, Lt. Col. Gary Bloomberg, said the teenagers abused nonprescription cold medicines containing dextromethorphan as well as the product “Dust Off” — a spray used for cleaning electronic equipment.

“In the past month we have had six students in the high school who have been sent home for use of over-the-counter drugs and two of these students were sent to the hospital as victims of an overdose,” Bloomberg said in the message.

The drug cases came to light after teachers noticed children behaving strangely or showing up for class with bright red eyes, Hohenfels High School assistant principle Candice Wojciechowsky said Wednesday.

When the students were sent to the school nurse, she quickly found out about the drug abuse, Wojciechowsky said.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=51387