The doctor's office isn't the first place Jennifer Berrios turns to when she had a cold and cough.
The 16 year old almost always relies on over-the-counter cough syrup but starting January 1st, Jennifer will no longer be able to buy a bottle on her own.
California lawmakers are banning the sale of most cough medicines to anyone under 18 because teens are getting high on one of the ingredients.
Pediatrician Dr.Janesri De Silva, doses dextromethorphan, or "dxm" that can cause hallucinations and even death.
De Silva said, "It is the number one drug of choice for children under 18, more common than even marijuana because it is so easily accessible.
Teens will be able to buy the cough syrups if they have a prescription, if not, pharmacists will have to check ID's for proof of age.
An estimated five and a half percent of 10th graders got high on cough medicine this year.
Pharmacist Kimberly Curtin said, "People using it for recreational purposes might be taking half a bottle to a full bottle, maybe even more than that on a daily basis."
The makers of cough medicines support the change and are trying to raise awareness about "dxm" online.
A 20 year old victim said, "It seriously destroyed me. From that point on I decided I was done."
But this teen isn't convinced the law will prevent misuse.
"If they want to get it they will, it doesn't matter if there's a law against it or not," said Jennifer Berrios.
And she says it only makes it harder for people like her who want to take the right dose for the right reason.
California pharmacies caught selling the medicine to minors face a 250 dollar fine.
The 16 year old almost always relies on over-the-counter cough syrup but starting January 1st, Jennifer will no longer be able to buy a bottle on her own.
California lawmakers are banning the sale of most cough medicines to anyone under 18 because teens are getting high on one of the ingredients.
Pediatrician Dr.Janesri De Silva, doses dextromethorphan, or "dxm" that can cause hallucinations and even death.
De Silva said, "It is the number one drug of choice for children under 18, more common than even marijuana because it is so easily accessible.
Teens will be able to buy the cough syrups if they have a prescription, if not, pharmacists will have to check ID's for proof of age.
An estimated five and a half percent of 10th graders got high on cough medicine this year.
Pharmacist Kimberly Curtin said, "People using it for recreational purposes might be taking half a bottle to a full bottle, maybe even more than that on a daily basis."
The makers of cough medicines support the change and are trying to raise awareness about "dxm" online.
A 20 year old victim said, "It seriously destroyed me. From that point on I decided I was done."
But this teen isn't convinced the law will prevent misuse.
"If they want to get it they will, it doesn't matter if there's a law against it or not," said Jennifer Berrios.
And she says it only makes it harder for people like her who want to take the right dose for the right reason.
California pharmacies caught selling the medicine to minors face a 250 dollar fine.
