Can cough medicine get you high?

Around a year ago today one of my friends passed away from an overdose of drugs. This wasn't an illegal drug. It was an over the counter cough medicine called Triple C. This is actually the slang term of Coricidin HBP Cough and Cold and it contains dextromethorphan. When dextromethorphan is taken more than is needed it produces hallucinations and a sense of dissociation or you feel “f-d upped”. You feel the effects similar to those experienced with PCP (phencyclidine) or ketamine. You also feel the effect for up to six hours.When this medicine is taken normally it actually treats your colds and allergies.

The first time I heard about Triple C was the summer before my junior year. Some of my guy friends heard about it and were interested so they started stealing them at drug stores. They would take around 10- 12 pills at a time and about an hour later feel the effect. Everytime they would take it, they would take more. If they took 12 before they would take 14 the next time. I never tried it because I though it was stupid getting “f-d upped” over a cough medicine but it seemed to work and they had a great time. My guy friends started stealing more and more from any grocery store they could go to and started selling them to kids. It was so dangerous. Finally they got over it and stopped doing it.

The next time I heard about some one doing triple C was when a friend of mine over-dosed on it and died. Every one was shocked, especially my guy friends because they have abused it before. She actually ended up taking 21. She heard that it was fun from some friends so decided to start taking triple c and loved it. She bought it from drug stores. Can you believe some one died from cough medicine? It was shock for everyone and it was so sad because so many people have tried it before.

It’s amazing that a drug this powerful can be bought at a grocery store. Now I heard most stores sell Triple C behind the counter because so many people abuse it. But you can still get it without a prescription, which I think should change. I don't know how many people have died from it but if a drug like this, that is so cheap and can be found easily, is available to anyone you never know what people will do with it. Taking high doses of this medicine could really affect one’s future. I know this medicine works for colds and allergies but I think it should definitely be behind the counter and you should have a prescription to buy it.