Teenagers Overdosing On Candy-Like Medicine
Police Say Pills Look Like ‘Skittles’
PITTSBURGH, USA – It may look like candy, but teenagers are overdosing on coricidin, an over the counter cough medicine.
Police say because the pills look like “skittles”, teenagers are able to pass them off as candy to parents and teachers.
They actually call it “skitling.”
In large doses it can cause hallucinations.
Castle Shannon police say five teens have overdosed on coricidin in recent months.
The pills can cause kidney and liver damage and possible seizures.
In some cases they can be deadly.
April 6th, 2007 at 11:07 am
I believe medicines should never look like candy.
Not only does it allow covert pill-popping as described in the above instance but the chances of a young child accidentally popping a handful of drugs into their mouth are increased - maybe with drugs left laying around by a careless “skitling” older brother or sister.
I am sure drug companies can make drugs in less appealing colours but even if they can’t and the make-up of some pill inadvertently makes it look like it might be a sweet there should be some universal marker placed on it that would clearly show that this is a drug and not a candy.
Okay a baby wouldn’t be able to recognise the mark but an adult nearby would sure see it and be able to prevent catastrophe.