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Cough syrup, new drug of choice for teens

Tuesday, 8 April 2025 06:30

Health experts in Geneva are worried about teenagers abusing cough syrups containing codeine.

If mixed with a soda or energy drink, the syrup can be used as a psychoactive drink. 

There’s been a sudden increase in demand for prescriptions. Some doctors are cutting back on prescribing the syrup, but there are worries that will fuel the black-market.

A report by Swiss French TV showed it was easy to place an illegal order for 500 bottles.

The canton says it doesn’t have the legal authority to simply ban codeine cough syrups – but it in monitoring the situation carefully. 

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