‘It’s easy for them to slip through the cracks’

GOLD Coast teenagers have resorted to downing cough medicine as a cheap high, with use now “rampant” across the city.

Pharmacists admit they are forced to keep a watchful eye on customers as teens try to beat the system to get their fix.

The Bulletin understands hordes of Gold Coast teenagers are now addicted to Rikodeine – a high-strength cough syrup available over the counter at pharmacies.

The medication contains dihydrocodeine – a weak opioid – and comes with a host of serious side-effects such as a slowed heartbeat, memory loss, blurred vision, agitation and hallucinations.

Long-term use has been linked to seizures, urinary tract infections and irregular heart rate.

Often it is mixed with prescription medication to make a potent concoction also known as “lean”, “purple drank” or “sizzurp”.

The drug has become an easily accessible high for Coast teenagers. Locals openly post about the dangerous cocktail on Instagram, with posts showing them drinking or mixing it.

Pharmacists use their discretion to administer the drug, which can legally be sold to all ages. They said they were aware of the trend and did their best to curb it.

“We try to keep an eye on everyone but it’s easy for them to slip through the cracks,” one said.

“Some people do use it for legitimate reasons but at this stage, sadly, they seem to be the minority.”

Another said it was mostly boys aged 14 to 17 who came in trying to buy it.

Pharmacists said suspicious customers also sought other brands with the same active ingredient but Rikodeine was by far the most popular.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia said it was hard to measure how widespread the trend was.

Many of those who can’t get the drug over the counter are resorting to blackmarket supplies, with some parents predicting their children were paying double for it on the streets.

Gold Coast Health Service and Queensland Police both said they weren’t aware of any issues relating to Rikodeine on the Coast.