There is evidence that most abusers keep abusing dextromethorphan because it is legal and readily available. In addition, the pattern of abuse spreads from one person to another within a social group and from one social group to another as young people gather at venues where other drugs such as ecstasy are being used.

An entire subculture is beginning to develop around the abuse of dextromethorphan. This subculture tends to encourage the use and abuse of the drug. Musical groups such as Oedipus Complex, Dr. Max, and Nightchild devote songs to the drug and reportedly write some of their songs while under the influence of the drug. There are now several Web sites on the Internet that encourage the use of dextromethorphan.

Many of these sites have graphics that are purportedly similar visually to the mental images that are sometimes generated when abusing the...