Dec. 11--In search of an easy high, teens across South Florida are turning to readily available over-the-counter cough medicine.

But they're ignoring the risk of overdose and long-term effects that can sometimes lead to death, experts say.

"It's an over-the-counter medication, but it's still a drug," said Mike Jachles, a Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue spokesman. "To use it is not only foolish, it's downright dangerous."

Those dangers became all too clear on Wednesday for three students -- ages 13 and 14 -- at Pioneer Middle School in Cooper City. After they each took between eight to 12 pills, the teens displayed all the symptoms associated with cough medicine overdose: quick heart rates, nervousness and even hallucinations, officials said.

They were all taken to area hospitals and were in good condition Thursday afternoon. Once they're discharged, they'll be suspended from school for 10 days and required to attend a substance-abuse program, said Marsy Smith, a Broward School District spokeswoman.

Two of the students may have stolen some of the pills from a store and could face petty theft charges, Jachles said.

But the incident brought home a vivid truth about how common the practice is: More than 3 million people between the ages of 12 and 25 admitted taking over-the-counter drugs to get high at least once, according to a 2008 report by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

"The difference between this and other drugs is that it's just so easy to get," said Suzy Berrios, director of Mental Health and Crisis Management Services for the Miami-Dade County School District. "And even if they can't buy it at a store, it's medicine we have in our homes, in our bathroom cabinets."

Most people abuse the medicine because they believe some of the ingredients, such as the cough supressant dextromethorphan, will help them achieve an out-of-body experience, said Jim Hall, director of the Center for the Study and Prevention of Substance Abuse at Nova Southeastern University.

Instead, overuse can damage the central nervous system and lead to long-term heart problems. In some cases, it can even cause death, Hall said.

"It's not just about educating kids about this problem, it's about educating parents and letting them know they have to get involved," Berrios said.

When Patricia La Sala, 79, of Pembroke Pines, learned Thursday about the students overdosing, she scoured her grandson's bookbag. The eighth-grader is also a Pioneer Middle student.

She didn't find any drugs.

"We're really watching out for him," she said.

Although South Florida school districts could not immediately provide statistics on medication overdoses Thursday, they acknowledged such incidents occur sporadically.

Keanu Obregon, an eighth-grader at Pioneer, said it's ultimately up to teens to make the right choice.

"We should already know about all that," said Obregon, 14. "Right now, most of us do."

Still, Leah Kelly, executive director of student support services at Broward Schools, said staff across the district would be reminded to warn against drug use and look for anyone who may be exhibiting symptoms.

"Given what we're hearing, we need to ramp it up even more," she said.

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