 "Photo: Jeb Draper")
Alex Dworak dreads the week before finals, not only because of the intense studying she must do, but also for a reason known only to those who also suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder.
With finals in two weeks, Dworak, who is in her fourth year at Chico State, knows there will be a huge rise in the demand for her Adderall, a drug used to help those with ADD focus more clearly.
Adderall was introduced first as a dietary pill used to fight obesity, according to ABCnews.com.
Adderall is a psychostimulant that is composed of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine, according to the Food and Drug Administration’s Web site. It is classified as a Schedule II drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act.
A Schedule II drug is a drug or substance with a high potential for abuse, which may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence, according to the Adderall drug facts sheet, by Shire biopharmaceuticals company.
Many other amphetamines are available for ADD and ADHD, such as Ritalin or Strattera. Most of these amphetamines work by increasing the amount of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. By doing this, the user’s overall concentration and cognitive performance is greatly increased and it also decreases the person’s fatigue levels, according to the fact sheet.
“I’ve already gotten calls from people trying to reserve some Adderall for their studying,” Dworak said. “It’s like people who know that I have a prescription for it expect me to not use my medicine so they can study during that week.”
The abuse of Adderall during finals week does not come as a surprise to university police.
“We are aware that the use of any stimulant, whether it be Adderall, cocaine or any amphetamine, goes up substantially during midterm and finals time,” said Eric Reichel, university chief of police. “There is a zero tolerance policy on this campus when it comes to drugs and those caught will be punished accordingly.”
Buying prescription drugs illegally is a misdemeanor, while selling a prescription drug is a felony and could result in jail time.
Some students who do not suffer from ADD but plan to use psychostimulants for finals week aren’t worried about acquiring the drug.
“Some girl in my history class announced to the class that she had Adderall for sale before class and to simply see her after class if we wanted some,” said Josh Coropassi, a senior majoring in history. “After class was over, she had about half the class with her trying to give her money.”
Other students worry about what may happen if they aren’t able to acquire the drug.
“I need that shit to study, to operate during that week,” said Chris, a Chico State junior who asked for his last name to be withheld. “I haven’t had a finals week that I haven’t used Adderall to help me study and this is the first semester I don’t have a hookup lined up.”
Kyle Yamamoto can be reached at
kyamamoto@theorion.com
3 comments
in the late 90's the "jet fuel" ingredient for meth became hard to get. Pharmacutical Co's wanted the market. Chemists had to go back to the drawing board.
Then came Pill dope and all the restrictions on pseudophedrine (spelling?).
I am not sure if I trust pfizer/merck/bayer anymore than the biker's chemist of the 90's.
This legal "speed" craze has taken drug abuse off the street and into doctor waiting rooms.
WIth the performance enhancing drug no-no mentality we have with sports, what do we tell a young adult who did not drug-up to ace his final (he had to work a shift to make it) when he is top 5 % instead of Valedictorian.
?