Crackdown on cough syrup abuse

PHUKET: Authorities have begun a campaign to fight the abuse by Phuket teenagers of cough syrup containing codeine. More than 1,000 bottles of the syrup have been seized since August 19. The cough syrup, the latest “in” drug among Phuket teenagers, is commonly mixed with alcoholic drinks or soft drinks. Dr Wanchai Sattayawutthipong, chief of the Phuket Provincial Health Office, said, “Codeine is like morphine. It is a very effective painkiller.” A depressant which is considered a dangerous drug, codeine can be sold legally only by pharmacists. A record of the name and address of the buyer must be made, along with the quantity bought. This record must be available for authorities to check at all times. Phuket CEO Governor Pongpayome Vasaputi said that he had discussed with the Ministry of Health whether the formula for cough syrup could be changed. He had also suggested that cough syrup should be sold only to those with a doctor’s prescription. The governor also said that most of the seized cough syrup came from Ranong, and he had alerted the governor of Ranong to the problem.