FORT MYERS, Fla-- A new state law in Florida that goes into effect January 1 will make it harder to get your hands on certain types of OTC cough medicine. If you are 18 years or younger you will no longer be able to buy medicine with dextromethorphan, or DXM.
"In the wrong hands too much of this medication can have fatal consequences," said Psychiatrist Brandon Short.
The American Association of Polson Control Centersattributes DXM to 6 deaths in 2014.
Recently abuse of this drug caught the attention of Florida lawmakers and Governor Rick Scott signed the measure to take effect January 1st.
The law prohibits people 18 and younger from buying cough medicine with DXM and those presumed under 25 to show ID.
"This will restrict some of the openness, or freedom, or decision to wake up one morning and say I'm going to go get this medication at the pharmacy," said Short.
Short went on to say abuse of DMX is most common in people ages 18 to 25, and this law in an effort to curb the abuse is definitely a step in the right direction.
"So with the 3 or 4 lines of defense there, we are cutting down for the propensity or the inclination for somebody to get addicted to a medication or drug that they weren't previously addicted to," said Short.
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