A new method of drug use, called “skittling,” is being abused by middle and high school students across the nation, said Darlene French, safe and drug free specialist for the Iberia Parish school system, and Tracy Ritter, community nurse liaison for Iberia Medical Center.

And, before something happens to students in Iberia Parish, French and Ritter said they want to inform parents about skittling, which they say is becoming an increasingly popular choice among teenagers.

Throughout April, French and Ritter will visit local schools and lecture principals about the effects of skittling.

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“From what I understand, a couple of incidents have happened on the weekend, where students might have taken 14 to 15 Coricidin pills and have been rushed to the emergency room,” French said.

French said skittling is taking large quantities of over-the-counter medication, usually Coricidin HBP, which resembles the candy Skittles.

Ritter said a number of non-prescription drugs students can abuse are sold over the counter inside local stores.

“Skittling is a teenage drug-abuse problem that has actually been going on nationwide among teenagers for the last six years,” Ritter said. “It is referred to as ‘skittling’ because the Coricidin HBP tablets resemble the candy Skittles.

“Research has also shown students have been abusing Dextromethorphan, which is a nonprescription cough suppressant. Dextromethorphan is often referred to as DMX, and some of the terms it is also called by students is red devils, robo or triple Cs.”

DMX is not a prescription drug and works by raising the coughing threshold in the brain.

French said she has not yet heard of any local incidents in the local school system.

“Right now we are partnering with the Iberia Medical Center and we are trying to inform administrators, teachers and meet with parents through parent-teacher organizations to educate them about skittling. We have not had students at school under the influence of Coricidin,” French said.

According to the Iberia Parish School Board handbook, any student found to be in possession of an unauthorized prescription or nonprescription drug will be suspended for a minimum of five days pending a hearing.

Candance Freyou, director of the emergency room and intensive care unit of Dauterive Hospital, said she did not know of any cases involving skittling during the past six months.

Ritter said some symptoms parents and teachers can look for to see if students are skittling are diluted pupils, drowsiness, dizziness and slurred speech.

“If the students take a high dosage of the pills they will have penny-looking eyes,” she said. “The high can last up to 24 hours, and they get like an L.S.D.-like high. If enough pills are taken, they can test positive for L.S.D.

French said this new drug abuse can be dangerous.

“Parents should keep all of their drugs in a place where kids cannot get to them,” she said. “They should not keep them in the bathroom because that is probably the most visited room in the house. Kids have been known to go into the bathroom and get the pills.”