Millions Get High on Cold Drugs

More than 3 million Americans, some as young as 12, have used over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to induce hallucinations, out-of-body experiences and other effects, a US government survey has found. The study uncovered high levels of abuse of 140 drugs containing the cough suppressant DXM, reports MSNBC.

The survey, conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, "tells me that parents need to be very concerned about the over-the-counter medicines they have in their medicine cabinet,” said a director of the agency's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (More Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration stories.)