1. A School Safety Issue at ACHS
The Trouble with Triple C
Michael Heitzman

2. What is Triple C?
Triple C’s is the slang term for Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold. This medicine is easily abused because it is over-the-counter (OVC) and contains Dextromethorphan or DXM (

3. How is Triple C abused?
DXM, the active ingredient, can safely be taken in doses of milligrams.
Abusers typically take 360 milligrams or more (Dowshen).

4. What are the effects of Triple C?
Large quantities of DXM can cause a person to:
have hallucinations
lose their motor control
have an out-of-body experience
(poisoncentertampa.org)

5. Who abuses Triple C?
Young adults and teenagers are the typical abusers of Triple C and DXM.
Reasons:
availability
low price (

6. Similar to alcohol intoxication Difficulty walking Vomiting Confusion
How might student’s act in the classroom under the influence of Triple C?
Similar to alcohol intoxication
Difficulty walking
Vomiting
Confusion
Drowsiness (

7. Eyewitness Account
“The student appeared to be drunk. She was very groggy and wanted to sleep. The student could not walk straight or maintain a conversation. She had a difficult time making eye-contact.”
-Mr. Samples, Dean of Students at ACHS

8. What are the dangers of triple C?
High blood pressure
Convulsions
Coma
Death
Mental illness
Heart damage
Nervous system damage (

9. What are the slang terms used for Triple C?
Orange Crush
Red Devils
Skittles
DXM or Dex
Vitamin D
Robo
Robo-trippin’
Candy (

10. What can we do at the school?
Administrators
Observe student behavior
Educate parents about the issue
Educate teachers about the issue
Conduct random searches of student backpacks/ lockers
Teachers
Be aware of student behavior
Error on the side of caution (if in doubt, call for help)
Watch for any pills
Listen for slang terms associated with Triple C

11. Bottom Line
We MUST give our teens something to grab onto that will build a future NOT destroy it!

12. References
Dowshen, M. D. (2013, 02). Retrieved from tment/cough_cold_medicine_abuse.html
Samples, J. (2014, 02 12). Interview by M Heitzman. Student under influence of Triple C.
(2008). Retrieved from abuse.aspx
(2013). Retrieved from counter-otc- medicine-abuse/teen-triple-c-addiction-rehab/