AFRO-NETS> RFI: Codeine Cough Mixture Abuse

[Claudio Schuftan <aviva@netnam.vn>]

RFI: Codeine Cough Mixture Abuse
--------------------------------

Dear Friends,

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 resem-
ble 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 hab-
its of drug addicts. There is no good reason to justify the use of 
these narcotic cough mixtures as there are safer alternative treat-
ments 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 medica-
tion. 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 meas-
ures. We would like to hear of the situation in other countries, 
namely:

* Is there a ban on the sale of codeine cough mixtures in your coun-
  try, and if so, what were the circumstances which led to such a 
  ban? 
* If no ban exists, how is the sale of codeine cough mixtures con-
  trolled?

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
mailto:kireenmm@tm.net.my

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