Study: drug abuse on the rise
Caitlin Mahon / Contributing Writer
Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: Page One
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Cramming for exams and pulling all-nighters for students has become synonymous with drinking any and all forms of caffeine - such as coffee or soda - or purchasing over-the-counter caffeine pills. But college students are also introducing prescription drugs into their study habits.
The abuse of stimulant prescription drugs - such as Ritalin and Adderall - are on the rise among college students, according to a study issued in March by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, also known as CASA.
The study, called "Wasting the Best and the Brightest: Substance Abuse at America's Colleges and Universities," showed between 1993 and 2005, the abuse of stimulant prescription drugs rose to 93 percent, which is an increase from 1.5 percent to nearly three percent.
College students report they abuse stimulant prescription drugs because they believe these drugs will aid them with their studies, which allow for increased concentration and alertness, according to the study.
A Rutgers College sophomore, who wishes to remain anonymous, received a prescription for Adderall after informing his doctor he was worried he wouldn't be able to concentrate enough to keep his grades up.
"I went into my home doctor's office with the intention of getting a prescription not only to take but also to sell," the sophomore said. "I sell to one or two people per week, if that, and usually sell for $5 a pill. Around finals time, I sell to at least 20 to 30 people at most, and I'll usually charge double of what I normally ask for."
This student also refills his prescription once a month and finds it a challenge to study when not taking the prescription.
"I can't study or do my homework without taking Adderall," the sophomore said. "One night, I tried doing my homework and I threw my books down after a half hour and went to sleep. I was just so frustrated that I couldn't concentrate."
Apparently the student who felt he could no longer study without the use of a stimulant prescription drug is not alone.
The abuse of stimulant prescription drugs - such as Ritalin and Adderall - are on the rise among college students, according to a study issued in March by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, also known as CASA.
The study, called "Wasting the Best and the Brightest: Substance Abuse at America's Colleges and Universities," showed between 1993 and 2005, the abuse of stimulant prescription drugs rose to 93 percent, which is an increase from 1.5 percent to nearly three percent.
College students report they abuse stimulant prescription drugs because they believe these drugs will aid them with their studies, which allow for increased concentration and alertness, according to the study.
A Rutgers College sophomore, who wishes to remain anonymous, received a prescription for Adderall after informing his doctor he was worried he wouldn't be able to concentrate enough to keep his grades up.
"I went into my home doctor's office with the intention of getting a prescription not only to take but also to sell," the sophomore said. "I sell to one or two people per week, if that, and usually sell for $5 a pill. Around finals time, I sell to at least 20 to 30 people at most, and I'll usually charge double of what I normally ask for."
This student also refills his prescription once a month and finds it a challenge to study when not taking the prescription.
"I can't study or do my homework without taking Adderall," the sophomore said. "One night, I tried doing my homework and I threw my books down after a half hour and went to sleep. I was just so frustrated that I couldn't concentrate."
Apparently the student who felt he could no longer study without the use of a stimulant prescription drug is not alone.