Over The Counter Killers

Tools

By Nick Lough

Story Published: Mar 15, 2009 at 5:49 PM MST

Story Updated: Mar 17, 2009 at 8:30 PM MST

BILLINGS - Robitussin, Benadryl, and Nyquil, all medicines to help fight diseases but kids are now using them to get high.

Taking 10, sometimes 20 times the recommended dose. "It can range from having a euphoric feeling to a dissociate type of feeling. The people can also experience some hallucinogenic feelings as well," said Billings Clinic's Dr. Christian Ball.

And kids aren't stopping there. They're posting themselves on popular websites like YouTube, showing others how much "fun" they're having and showing off to their friends and peers. But what these videos don't show is the harmful affects the over-the-counter drugs can have on the body.

“Seizure, coma, and death, those are worse case scenarios with everyone of these drugs," said Dr. Ball. Local pharmacies are cracking down on the sale of these medicines by not allowing anyone under the age of 18 to buy them.

"They're the average kid that you'll see out on the street that is coming in to do some of these," said Walgreens Barry McMillan. But problems remain as teens find a way to get their hands on them. "There are certain ones that happen to disappear that we will put behind the pharmacy that were not required to just because they're walking out the store," said McMillan.

Dr. Ball doesn't see a slow down anytime soon on the number of kids rushed to the emergency room with Robitussin over doses. "It's a big problem and it will continue to be a problem," said Dr. Ball. But he hopes parents start to realize how easy and accessible it is for kids to get a hold of cough syrup and make a life altering decision.

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