Prescription Drug Abuse within High School and College Students

Over the past 15 years, prescription drug abuse within high school and college students has increased dramatically and the education system is on the verge of an epidemic, particularly concerning “study-drugs” such as Adderal, Vvyvanse, and Concerta. Without implementing policies to control this growing problem, the country will result in an unjust education system filled with “system cheaters” - students who use prescription drugs for non-medical purposes. While most people blame this fiasco on the students using these drugs, the problem lyes also within the pharmaceutical industry as they are prescribing medication under false pretenses. While using these stimulants may seem like the perfect way to achieve straight A’s, long term effects of taking unprescribed, or wrongly prescribed medication can be detrimental to a young adults body and mind. While individuals frequently provide “justifications” to why they or others are using these medications, no justification can change the legality of the situation at hand. Efforts have begun to be put in place to slow down the consumption, however, these efforts are minimal in comparison to what must be done to ensure our nations current education system, as well as the young generation of America, does not burst into flames of drugged out teenagers looking to get ahead by popping a few blue capsules.
Adderal, Vicodin, Ritalin, Vvyvanse, and Concerta are all names that can pop into ones mind when the term ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is said. These medications are all behind the counter which means that they must be prescribed by a doctor. Of all possible childhood disorders, ADD and ADHD account for more than any mental health, sp...

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...e with all drugs, short and long term side effects are prevalent, most of the students using these “study-drugs” do not believe they themselves will ever become addicted and give justifications as to why it is okay for them to use the chemical aid. While many surveys and polls establish that prescription drugs are widely used throughout high school, and college campuses, not enough is done to prevent the inevitable, ill-defined cheating that is taking place everyday. Prescription drug monitoring programs need to be put into effect as soon as possible to allow data to be collected concerning the distribution of these stimulants. Over the next ten years, if all said efforts are put into action, our nation and the education system should expect to see a decline in the number or adolescents self-prescribing prescription drugs, especially a decline in first time users.