Police bust students for cold medicine abuse, solve 28 thefts

RUSSELLVILLE, AR = Police arrested two underage students from Russellville High School suspected in at least 28 thefts and breaking-and-enterings, or B&E's, throughout Pope County.

"It's rare for Russellville," said Ofc. Josh McMillian. "For Russellville city limits, we don't have juveniles that go out and commit this many B&E's."

How police found out about the thefts is a rarity too. Teachers noticed the students didn't look right.

"They looked confused, dazed, unaware of their surroundings, they looked kind of disoriented," said McMillian.

Police say the students had taken way more than the recommended dosage of Coricidin HBP, a cold medicine for people with high blood pressure. It's the first time Russellville police have ever seen this particular drug abused, and it's the first time Pharmacist Brett Walters has seen it too.

"The reason that this medication is being abused is because it contains dextromethorphan, which is a cough suppressant. It's a very common cough suppressant," said Walters. It's also found in other drugs that are sometimes abused, like Robitussin.

Walters says they're all safe but only at the recommended dosage. When you go over that, you could be in for a lot of trouble. Walters says that trouble includes vomiting, sweating, diarrhea, dizziness, and drowsiness. High blood pressure and very serious liver trouble are possibilities as well.