2008 Woodie Awards
Is Adderall There Is?
How 'bout Them Apples?
Phil Garrison
Issue date: 3/1/02 Section: Features
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Recently, Jeb Bush, George W.'s brother and governor of Florida, went through the embarrassment of having his daughter arrested for attempting to purchase prescription drugs with a fake I.D. It would be easy to satire this arrest, especially considering the string of problems that the various Bush children have had recently. However, I forego that opportunity in favor of a more sober topic. This incident highlights a problem that affects us right here on the Hendrix campus: the illegal use of prescription drugs. I have one specific drug in mind when I say this: Adderall, commonly used for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
I have personally witnessed a number of students on campus exchanging Adderall with each other. Particularly disturbing was the fact that several of these individuals were prominent members of the Hendrix community, including members of Senate and other groups. They claim that it helps them concentrate while studying. When I voiced my objection to what they were doing, some of them disregarded my comments, insisting that it was okay.
Though some people might argue otherwise, my goal in life is not to just lecture specific groups of people on campus. I just hate to see some of the best and brightest students of Hendrix, people whom I consider my friends, engaged in these illicit activities that could possibly endanger themselves or their psychological well being.
My argument here is not so much to debate the safety of this one individual drug. While Adderall may or may not be a particularly harmful drug, the point is that it is dangerous, not to mention illegal, to use drugs that have not been prescribed to you by a doctor. Dosage levels, side effects, existing health problems/conditions and drug interactions have to be considered carefully by trained professionals. Just because Adderall worked for and did not hurt your friend does not mean it will do the same for you. If you feel that you need Adderall or a medicine along those lines to help you study, then go see a doctor and discuss it with him or her. Obtain a prescription and treatment appropriate for you. (The over-medication of American society is another topic altogether.)
I have personally witnessed a number of students on campus exchanging Adderall with each other. Particularly disturbing was the fact that several of these individuals were prominent members of the Hendrix community, including members of Senate and other groups. They claim that it helps them concentrate while studying. When I voiced my objection to what they were doing, some of them disregarded my comments, insisting that it was okay.
Though some people might argue otherwise, my goal in life is not to just lecture specific groups of people on campus. I just hate to see some of the best and brightest students of Hendrix, people whom I consider my friends, engaged in these illicit activities that could possibly endanger themselves or their psychological well being.
My argument here is not so much to debate the safety of this one individual drug. While Adderall may or may not be a particularly harmful drug, the point is that it is dangerous, not to mention illegal, to use drugs that have not been prescribed to you by a doctor. Dosage levels, side effects, existing health problems/conditions and drug interactions have to be considered carefully by trained professionals. Just because Adderall worked for and did not hurt your friend does not mean it will do the same for you. If you feel that you need Adderall or a medicine along those lines to help you study, then go see a doctor and discuss it with him or her. Obtain a prescription and treatment appropriate for you. (The over-medication of American society is another topic altogether.)
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