Study: 5.3% of Young People Have Taken Cold Meds to Get High

About 3.1 million people in the U.S. ages 12 to 25, or 5.3% of this age group, have used over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to get high at least once in their lifetimes, according to a report released last week by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Jan 14, 2008

ROCKVILLE, Md. — About 3.1 million people in the U.S. ages 12 to 25, or 5.3% of this age group, have used over-the-counter cough and cold medicines to get high at least once in their lifetimes, according to a report released last week by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration here. Data from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health show the number is comparable to the 3.1 million who say they have used LSD, and is significantly greater than the 2.4 million who reported having tried methamphetamines. “While increasing attention has been paid to the public health risk of prescription drug abuse, we also need to be aware of the growing dangers of misuse of over-the-counter cough and cold medications, especially among young people,” said Terry Cline, administrator of the substance abuse agency.