Spring Break
As finals near, SHS urges students not to turn to Adderall
SHS's Peer Health Advocates set up booth in quad to raise awareness of ADHD drug
Evan Miller
Issue date: 6/2/08 Section: News
Dead week is here and it's time for students to catch up on the studying they have put off all term. This pressure, however, is leading some students to turn to the Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder drug Adderall in an attempt to keep focused.
This is why Alex Wheaton and Erin Dorsey, both sophomores in health education, set up a booth in the MU Quad yesterday to warn students about the dangers of Adderall.
"People don't know what it actually is," Dorsey said. "It's an amphetamine, a weaker version of drugs like speed and methamphetamine."
The students are involved in the Peer Health Advocates program, a part of OSU's Student Health Services. Peer Health Advocates are volunteers that educate the community about relevant health issues.
Adderall is widely available on college campuses. Some students with prescriptions sell pills to friends, and it is even possible to buy the drug over the internet.
However, Peer Health Advocates remind people that just because they can get something doesn't mean they should.
"The biggest problem is people mixing the drug with alcohol," said Wheaton, "Normally, if you drink too much, your body will pass out until the alcohol is mostly gone. But Adderall will make you stay awake, making you more likely to keep drinking and get alcohol poisoning."
Other dangers are risk of addiction, decrease of driving ability, thoughts of anxiety or depression, heart problems and sexual dysfunction.
"You should not take it if it is not prescribed for you," said Wheaton, "It might combine with another drug you are taking to cause a bad side affect."
Some of the drugs it should not be taken with are anti-depressants, anti-histamines, cold medicines, and alcohol.
However, some students remain undeterred by the risks.
"I use it to focus better," said an OSU student who does not have ADHD and wishes to remain anonymous, "There's no way I could normally sit in the library and study for five hours, but if I take an Adderall I can."
Adderall is classified by the federal government as a schedule II drug, meaning it has a valid medical purpose, but is illegal for anyone to possess it without a prescription.
Students can learn more by contacting Student Health Services or the Peer Health Advocates.
Evan Miller, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
This is why Alex Wheaton and Erin Dorsey, both sophomores in health education, set up a booth in the MU Quad yesterday to warn students about the dangers of Adderall.
"People don't know what it actually is," Dorsey said. "It's an amphetamine, a weaker version of drugs like speed and methamphetamine."
The students are involved in the Peer Health Advocates program, a part of OSU's Student Health Services. Peer Health Advocates are volunteers that educate the community about relevant health issues.
Adderall is widely available on college campuses. Some students with prescriptions sell pills to friends, and it is even possible to buy the drug over the internet.
However, Peer Health Advocates remind people that just because they can get something doesn't mean they should.
"The biggest problem is people mixing the drug with alcohol," said Wheaton, "Normally, if you drink too much, your body will pass out until the alcohol is mostly gone. But Adderall will make you stay awake, making you more likely to keep drinking and get alcohol poisoning."
Other dangers are risk of addiction, decrease of driving ability, thoughts of anxiety or depression, heart problems and sexual dysfunction.
"You should not take it if it is not prescribed for you," said Wheaton, "It might combine with another drug you are taking to cause a bad side affect."
Some of the drugs it should not be taken with are anti-depressants, anti-histamines, cold medicines, and alcohol.
However, some students remain undeterred by the risks.
"I use it to focus better," said an OSU student who does not have ADHD and wishes to remain anonymous, "There's no way I could normally sit in the library and study for five hours, but if I take an Adderall I can."
Adderall is classified by the federal government as a schedule II drug, meaning it has a valid medical purpose, but is illegal for anyone to possess it without a prescription.
Students can learn more by contacting Student Health Services or the Peer Health Advocates.
Evan Miller, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
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