Researcher finds 1 in 3 Houston teens has abused cough syrup
'Syrup' abuse rising in Houston
Pharmacists' trial spotlights illicit use of the cough medicine
By HARVEY RICE
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
The abuse of a codeine-fortified cough syrup is so widespread among youths here that Houston has become nationally known in the rap culture as "the City of Syrup," a local researcher says.
Prosecutors will focus on the illegal distribution of the medication in the trial of six pharmacists, beginning today in a Houston federal court.
The pharmacists are the first to be prosecuted here on accusations of illegally dispensing the highly addictive prescription cough syrup codeine with promethazine.
The syrup has been used at least once by about 30 percent of teenagers in the Houston area, says Ron Peters, a professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston.
'Syrup' abuse rising in Houston
Pharmacists' trial spotlights illicit use of the cough medicine
By HARVEY RICE
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
The abuse of a codeine-fortified cough syrup is so widespread among youths here that Houston has become nationally known in the rap culture as "the City of Syrup," a local researcher says.
Prosecutors will focus on the illegal distribution of the medication in the trial of six pharmacists, beginning today in a Houston federal court.
The pharmacists are the first to be prosecuted here on accusations of illegally dispensing the highly addictive prescription cough syrup codeine with promethazine.
The syrup has been used at least once by about 30 percent of teenagers in the Houston area, says Ron Peters, a professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston.
