BUONO-KEAN PROPOSE LIMITS TO CRACK DOWN ON OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUG ABUSE

Measure Would Require Age-Verification for Purchase of Cough Medicines Containing DXM

EDISON – At a news conference at Edison High School today, State Senator Barbara Buono unveiled legislation, sponsored by Senator Buono and Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr., requiring that customers be at least 18 years old to purchase over-the-counter cough and cold remedies containing dextromethorphan (DXM), an ingredient which, when abused by teenagers seeking to get high, can have potentially lethal consequences.

“New Jersey needs to step up and address this very serious danger to the health and safety of our teenage sons and daughters,” said Senator Buono, D-Metuchen. “DXM abuse can have lasting and potentially fatal consequences for teenagers who misuse this legal, inexpensive, and easily accessible substance in order to achieve a high. By instituting common-sense limitations on who can purchase products containing DXM, we can reduce the risk that our children will add to the growing number of tragic statistics.”

MEDIA ADVISORY - SENATOR BARBARA BUONO TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON BUONO-KEAN DEXTROMETHORPHAN LEGISLATION

EDISON – On Wednesday, September 3rd Senator Barbara Buono will hold a press conference to discuss legislation that she and Senator Tom Kean Jr. will introduce this fall. The bill would prohibit the sale of any product containing Dextromethorphan to anyone under the age of 18 years old. It targets recreational abusers of the over-the-counter drug that is commonly found in over 100 common cough and cold remedies.

“The abuse of Dextromethorphan is a growing problem in New Jersey and across the United States,” said Senator Buono (D-18). “Because the drugs are so readily available to kids, abuse can be easily hidden from even the most involved parent.”

VITALE-BUONO BILL TO ENSURE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR ALCOHOLISM, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL DISORDERS ADVANCES IN ASSEMBLY

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senators Joseph F. Vitale and Barbara Buono which would require insurance companies to cover alcoholism, substance abuse and mental disorders under the same terms and conditions as for other diseases or illnesses was approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee today by a vote of 10-3.