The Danger of "Study Drugs"

This is a little off topic, but as a fellow parent I feel it's important to share it with you.

I read a rather troubling article in the New York Times recently about "study drugs." I don't know if you're aware of this issue or not, but I thought I'd bring it to your attention in case you're like me and didn't know this was going on.

Apparently, stimulant drugs normally prescribed for students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are being used by other students to increase focus during exams and to study late into the night. In most cases, the pills are crushed and then snorted.

The kids abusing these drugs are not your typical dropouts or druggies. Often, they're the top students in the class - students who have too many AP classes and extracurricular activities and not enough sleep, and don't want to disappoint their parents, teachers and coaches. Rather than chance a low grade on a calculus exam or SAT test, the student will take a little helper to achieve the grade that's expected of him/her.

The drugs' effects can last 8 to 12 hours, and do more than just provide a jolt of energy. They provide "a laser focus, instant recall and the fortitude to crush any test," according to the article.

The suppliers are mostly fellow students who have ADHD and are willing to share their drugs, or kids who fake ADHD symptoms in order to get a prescription. Kids find it alarmingly easy to fool doctors or psychiatrists into writing them a prescription.

The most popular meds abused are Adderall XR, Byvanse, Concerta, Focalin XR and Ritalin. To read the New York Times article, go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/10/education/seeking-academic-edge-teenagers-abuse-stimulants.html?pagewanted=all

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