Mouth sprays, fizzy drinks, chewing gum:

Sharp rise in use of performance enhancers among students

by Carol Aloysius

Health Ministry officials yesterday warned school children were now using different types of performance enhancers to do better at school examinations.

"They come in the form of mouth sprays, drinks, and sweets," Head Poisons Information Unit, Dr. Waruna Gunethilake told the Sunday Observer. Referring to the recently banned spray, he said another mouth spray, which could also be consumed and resembled a popular brand of fizzy drink in miniature form, was also being illegally sold to O/L and A/L students preparing for examinations.

It is reported that students have been informed by various sources that these items would enhance their memory and performance at examinations.

"We also found a green and white chewing gum being sold with similar claims," Gunethilake said. He also revealed that Paediatricians had said students using performance enhancers, and being treated by them, showed signs of aggressiveness, irritability and had low school performance. Dr. Gunethilake said the performance enhancers were being sold outside leading Colombo schools and warned parents to watch for any sudden behavioural changes in their children as they could be linked to the use of these drugs.

Director Food and Drugs Authority, Dr Hemantha Herath said the products had entered the country legally after being approved by the Sri Lankan Standards Institute. "Samples are now at the Industrial Technology Institute for testing. We will shortly be sending samples of these sprays to the National Dangerous Drugs Control Authority as well for additional tests".

"Each sample contains a mix of 3-4 sub types. We have also asked Customs officers to confiscate any items of this nature entering the country," he said.