REVIEW PAPER
Analysis of the phenomenon of over-the-counter drug abuse and not controlled herbs trade by Polish adolescents: Part I
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1
Pomorski Uniwersytet Medyczny / Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
(Wydział Nauk o Zdrowiu, Katedra Psychiatrii / Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychiatry)
2
Uniwersytet Szczeciński / University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
(Wydział Humanistyczny, Instytut Psychologii / Faculty of Humanities, Institute of Psychology)
Online publication date: 2017-03-28
Corresponding author
Daria Suchecka
Pomorski Uniwersytet Medyczny,
Wydział Nauk o Zdrowiu, Katedra Psychiatrii, ul. Broniewskiego 26, 71-460 Szczecin
Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2017;68(3):413-22
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ABSTRACT
The phenomenon of stupefying by the use of available over-the-counter drugs (OTC) among adolescents is an essential problem
in both Poland and throughout the world. Popular analgesics, cold medicine and antihistamines contain psychedelic substances,
such as dextromethorphan (DXM), pseudoephedrine/ephedrine, codeine (methylmorphine), dimenhydrinate, paracetamol (acetaminophren)
and others. Cases of fatal addiction to dextromethorphan, one of the active substances contained in medicines, e.g., the
common cold, have been reported. The test results cited by the authors clearly indicate that the use of OTC drugs, whose turnover
is not controlled is a domain of females. The extent of use of drugs not prescribed by a doctor has remained for many years at a constant
level. The most common poisonings with OTC drugs are caused by those that affect the respiratory system or exert analgesic
or antipyretic effects. They are also used in attempted suicides, especially among females. Analyzing poisonings caused by OTC
medications their seasonality has been observed. Their number increases during spring–autumn. A territorial differentiation in areas
of OTC drug trade in terms of their quantities, with the predominance of southern regions is also noted. Intoxication with psychoactive
substances causes the deterioration of relations between young people. In the reviewed studies there is no detailed information
on the composition of non-prescription medicines. Moreover, young people have easy access to mushroom fungi, growing in nearby
forests and meadows that may have hallucinogenic effects and are available in pharmacies and on the Internet. Med Pr 2017;68(3):413–422