phr
Bluelighter
Pressure of cramming for finals drives some students to Rx drugs
Nicholas La Torre
The Athens News
11/15/07
With final exams here and the pressure to do well on tests at a climax, some desperate Ohio University students may take drugs intended to treat narcolepsy and Attention Deficit Disorders in order to prolong study hours.
The prescription drug Adderall is a mixture of amphetamine-based salts, and when used in excess or unnecessarily, can cause various side effects. Terry Koons, assistant director of Health Promotion at OU, said that the results vary by case but many users experience loss of appetite and insomnia.
"If you're being treated for a condition, the effects of Adderall can be very positive," Koons said. "When someone is using a drug like that for a non-medical purposes, it can be very damaging."
Koons said a major difference in the use of the prescription drug correctly and the use of it for non-medical purposes is the way the drug is taken or the amount that is ingested. A prescribed user will take the pill in a time-released fashion in order to help him or her concentrate throughout the day, while a misuser will take the pill in whatever way will make the effects instantaneous or more intense, Koons said.
Adderall, or what Koons refers to as the "poor man's cocaine," is similar to cocaine in effects but seems to have a different level of social acceptability. Students might have a hard time telling friends that they had used cocaine, but using a drug in order to do better on a test may not carry the same stigmas.
One of the intended effects of Adderall is increased focus.
For a person with ADD, these drugs could be the difference between being able to study for a decent amount of time or not being able to concentrate at all.
"It's helpful for people even when they don't need it," junior Carlin McMahon said. "If you have a lot of things to do in a short period of time to do it in, it helps you concentrate. When you can concentrate longer, you can get better grades."
McMahon suffers from ADD and said that he has a hard time studying for more than a half an hour if he doesn't take his medication. McMahon said he would not be able to earn the good grades he does if he didn't take Adderall.
Other students describe situations where the drugs are being misused by those who do not require them. Senior Zachary Johnson said that he has heard of people abusing Adderall for both scholastic reasons and social reasons.
"I've heard it can take you from a near blackout drunk and allow you to party for the rest of the night," Johnson said. "I've also heard of people trying it when they are in dire need of studying."
Koons said he doesn't know the degree of social acceptability of Adderall but said he believes this could be why this is a growing trend. According to Koons, a 2007 survey of alcohol and other drugs performed by Health Promotion revealed that 11 percent of OU students had used prescription drugs for non-medical use. Koons said he isn't sure whether the increase from 3 percent in 2005 is due to availability, a desire for longer studying times, or recreational use.
"Most of the people misusing the drugs have probably done much worse in their time," student Johnson said. "How often you use the drugs and for what reason will probably affect how other people view your use. If you're using it to study, there will be a much less negative outlook than if you are just using it to party all night."
College students finding a chemical boost during exam week is nothing new or unusual. While exorbitant amounts of caffeine is the default drug of choice, many generations of OU students also have relied on speed and other stimulants.
Without a case study, however, Koons said it's difficult to determine whether Adderall and similar drugs actually help people study. The lack of sleep may actually be inhibiting their ability to do well on a test. The drug would have to be tested against a placebo and taken the same way as the people who misuse them take them.
In any event, however, Koons cited much better ways to study. He suggested studying in short intervals such as 30 to 45 minutes at a time, getting plenty of sleep, and studying in groups. To Koons, being quizzed by other members in the group helps the student remember the information and keeps his or her focus on the school work.
Regarding the legality of the drugs, Koons acknowledged that it's very hard to catch someone misusing prescription drugs because it's not easy to prove that they are using them for non-medical reasons. He said the university has no active plan in place to head off this type of drug use because most of the resources are still being allocated in the fight against alcohol abuse on campus.
"It isn't to say that the use of drugs for non-medical use is less important but the resources aren't available," Koons said. "If we (Health Promotion) encounter a person that may be misusing these drugs, we will refer them to counseling but they are not required to go."
According to the OU Student Code of Conduct, the manufacture, distribution, sale, offer for sale, possession or misuse of drugs or narcotics including but not limited to barbiturates, hallucinogens, amphetamines, cocaine, opium, heroin or marijuana, is a Code A offense and can be punishable by reprimand, disciplinary probation, suspension or expulsion.
If students feel the need to stay awake during exam week, Athens has uptown coffee shops open around the clock and offering legal and healthier alternatives than amphetamines and other prescription stimulants.
Link!
Nicholas La Torre
The Athens News
11/15/07
With final exams here and the pressure to do well on tests at a climax, some desperate Ohio University students may take drugs intended to treat narcolepsy and Attention Deficit Disorders in order to prolong study hours.
The prescription drug Adderall is a mixture of amphetamine-based salts, and when used in excess or unnecessarily, can cause various side effects. Terry Koons, assistant director of Health Promotion at OU, said that the results vary by case but many users experience loss of appetite and insomnia.
"If you're being treated for a condition, the effects of Adderall can be very positive," Koons said. "When someone is using a drug like that for a non-medical purposes, it can be very damaging."
Koons said a major difference in the use of the prescription drug correctly and the use of it for non-medical purposes is the way the drug is taken or the amount that is ingested. A prescribed user will take the pill in a time-released fashion in order to help him or her concentrate throughout the day, while a misuser will take the pill in whatever way will make the effects instantaneous or more intense, Koons said.
Adderall, or what Koons refers to as the "poor man's cocaine," is similar to cocaine in effects but seems to have a different level of social acceptability. Students might have a hard time telling friends that they had used cocaine, but using a drug in order to do better on a test may not carry the same stigmas.
One of the intended effects of Adderall is increased focus.
For a person with ADD, these drugs could be the difference between being able to study for a decent amount of time or not being able to concentrate at all.
"It's helpful for people even when they don't need it," junior Carlin McMahon said. "If you have a lot of things to do in a short period of time to do it in, it helps you concentrate. When you can concentrate longer, you can get better grades."
McMahon suffers from ADD and said that he has a hard time studying for more than a half an hour if he doesn't take his medication. McMahon said he would not be able to earn the good grades he does if he didn't take Adderall.
Other students describe situations where the drugs are being misused by those who do not require them. Senior Zachary Johnson said that he has heard of people abusing Adderall for both scholastic reasons and social reasons.
"I've heard it can take you from a near blackout drunk and allow you to party for the rest of the night," Johnson said. "I've also heard of people trying it when they are in dire need of studying."
Koons said he doesn't know the degree of social acceptability of Adderall but said he believes this could be why this is a growing trend. According to Koons, a 2007 survey of alcohol and other drugs performed by Health Promotion revealed that 11 percent of OU students had used prescription drugs for non-medical use. Koons said he isn't sure whether the increase from 3 percent in 2005 is due to availability, a desire for longer studying times, or recreational use.
"Most of the people misusing the drugs have probably done much worse in their time," student Johnson said. "How often you use the drugs and for what reason will probably affect how other people view your use. If you're using it to study, there will be a much less negative outlook than if you are just using it to party all night."
College students finding a chemical boost during exam week is nothing new or unusual. While exorbitant amounts of caffeine is the default drug of choice, many generations of OU students also have relied on speed and other stimulants.
Without a case study, however, Koons said it's difficult to determine whether Adderall and similar drugs actually help people study. The lack of sleep may actually be inhibiting their ability to do well on a test. The drug would have to be tested against a placebo and taken the same way as the people who misuse them take them.
In any event, however, Koons cited much better ways to study. He suggested studying in short intervals such as 30 to 45 minutes at a time, getting plenty of sleep, and studying in groups. To Koons, being quizzed by other members in the group helps the student remember the information and keeps his or her focus on the school work.
Regarding the legality of the drugs, Koons acknowledged that it's very hard to catch someone misusing prescription drugs because it's not easy to prove that they are using them for non-medical reasons. He said the university has no active plan in place to head off this type of drug use because most of the resources are still being allocated in the fight against alcohol abuse on campus.
"It isn't to say that the use of drugs for non-medical use is less important but the resources aren't available," Koons said. "If we (Health Promotion) encounter a person that may be misusing these drugs, we will refer them to counseling but they are not required to go."
According to the OU Student Code of Conduct, the manufacture, distribution, sale, offer for sale, possession or misuse of drugs or narcotics including but not limited to barbiturates, hallucinogens, amphetamines, cocaine, opium, heroin or marijuana, is a Code A offense and can be punishable by reprimand, disciplinary probation, suspension or expulsion.
If students feel the need to stay awake during exam week, Athens has uptown coffee shops open around the clock and offering legal and healthier alternatives than amphetamines and other prescription stimulants.
Link!
