Friday, May 30

\

Local parents take ephedra
manufacturer to court

[MAY 30, 2003]  Kevin and Debbie Riggins did not just stand by and accept the sudden death of their 16-year-old son, Sean. They became activists.

Sean died on Sept. 3, 2002, following what appeared to be a slight case of flu. It was only after his death that his parents learned that he had been taking Yellow Jackets, an over-the-counter "herbal" product containing ephedra, to enhance his sports performance.

Sean was a normal, healthy, active teen who loved working out. He was an LCHS football player, wrestler and lifted weights.

An autopsy revealed he had died of a heart attack. A coroner's jury determined that based on the toxicology and autopsy reports and the events preceding his death, Sean's death was accidental but preventable. The ephedra product was to blame.

 

 

[to top of second column in this article]

Since October his parents have diligently sought to educate youth and lawmakers about the dangers of the product. They formed the Sean Riggins Foundation for Substance-Free Schools. Through that entity they have worked to inform young people of the hazards of stimulants.

They pressed all levels of lawmakers -- city, county and state -- successfully gaining restrictions on the sale of such products to underage youth. Kevin Riggins also testified before federal health regulators in Washington, D.C., in October. As a result the Food and Drug Administration began a closer investigation into the reported adverse affects of the product.

Thursday the Riggins family took one more step in their quest to shine the light on the dangers of ephedra. They filed a wrongful-death lawsuit in Logan County Circuit Court against the maker of the Yellow Jackets, NVE Pharmaceuticals.

Kevin and Debbie Riggins say that should they get any money from the suit it will go into the foundation established in Sean's memory. The foundation seeks to protect youth through educational programs.

[Jan Youngquist]

Next >


Articles from the past week

Thursday:

Wednesday:

Tuesday:

  • (No new articles posted on Top Stories)

Monday:

  • Memorial Day holiday

Saturday:

Friday:

Back to top


 

News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching & Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries

Community | Perspectives | Law & Courts | Leisure Time | Spiritual Life | Health & Fitness | Teen Scene
Calendar | Letters to the Editor