Delaware Senate set to vote on bill that would ban cough suppressant sales to minors

Minors in Delaware may no longer be able to get a popular cough suppressant unless it’s prescribed.

The Senate is scheduled to vote tomorrow on legislation that would limit over-the-counter sales of dextromethorphan or DXM to kids under eighteen.

According to stopmedicineabuse.org, about one in thirty teens reported abusing excessive amounts of DXM to get high.

Representative David Bentz says, “I wouldn’t classify the abuse as rampant by any means, but it is something that quite a few number of high schoolers and middle schoolers have tried before. A good percentage of them have done it multiple times. We certainly think this is something that we need to get a grip on and prevent kids from using it.”

This bill was passed by the House unanimously. If approved by the Senate, any business that sells DXM in violation of the legislation would receive a warning letter for the first. A fine of up to $150 for the second violation would be given and higher fees would follow after that.