When was the last time you read the label on a bottle of cough medicine? It’s probably been a long time. I know they are not really all that exciting to read, but next time you are in the medicine chest at home or at the pharmacy, read some labels. Did you know that some of them are 25% alcohol? That’s 50 proof. Two ounces of that cough medicine is more alcohol than a shot of 80 proof whiskey.
Cough medicine is sold without prescription. It is sold to anyone, in any quantity, without any age restriction. So a bottle of wine with 15% alcohol content can’t be sold in
Check your medicine chest and see how your cough medicine compares to others. If they have a warning about causing drowsiness, it could very well be because of the alcohol content. It does not take many sips of 50 proof to put you to sleep. Try to buy cough medicines that are alcohol free and keep them away from children. When on patrol look for cough medicines in cars, back packs and other locations; underage drinkers may be treating more than their hacking cough. You may find a drunk, rather than someone with a cough; that’s what the SGT Says.