Academic performance enhancement

By Amanda Clifford

(Editor's note: It is contrary to Beacon policy to ever run stories quoting an anonymous source. Readers are entitled to know the identity of information sources so they can evaluate for themselves the credibility of those sources. Furthermore, The Beacon puts its own trustworthiness at risk, giving sources a platform for accountability-free rants and personal attacks.

This story, however, could not be told by naming some of the sources because those sources were involved in criminal activities. The fear of incriminating themselves made the prospect of going on record with their names a chilling one for our sources.

The Beacon agreed that this story was important enough to be told without identifying sources. Our hope is that although we haven't identified every source, the subject matter of the story will spark earnest, candid discussion among readers - students, faculty, staff and community members - about issues surrounding drug abuse.)

Hundreds of pages to read, research papers galore, massive assignments and countless other responsibilities are a few of the reasons college students around the country are turning to a little orange pill.

The pill is Adderall, a prescription drug that, in most cases, helps users concentrate better, focus more intently on their work and in some instances, feel more energetic.

The problem is hundreds - perhaps millions nationwide - of users are taking the drug or a cousin, Ritalin, without the benefit of a prescription. They've never been diagnosed by a doctor as having attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the most common ailments for which both stimulants are prescribed.

Nationwide, university and medical officials acknowledge inappropriate - and illegal - use of prescription stimulants, like Adderall, is a significant concern.

Nearly half of full-time college students nationwide binge drink and or abuse prescription and illegal drugs, according to a 2007 report by Columbia University's National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. Although it is not clear what percentage of these 3.8 million students misuse pharmaceutical drugs, the report indicated that the number of students who abuse stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin has increased more than 93 percent between 1993 and 2005.

So, is Adderall and or Ritalin abuse a problem on The Bluff?

Paul Meyers, Health Center director, said he does not believe so, at least not to any noticeable degree.

"I am not saying that no student violates the law relative to their misuse of controlled substances," said Myers, a psychologist. "I am saying that I presume most people follow the law in this regard."

As evidence, Myers pointed to the fact that the Health Center has not received reports of Adderall abuse or misuse. Furthermore, he noted that the 2008 CORE Alcohol and Drug survey, featuring responses from 310 students, indicated that UP students used methamphetamines at lower rates than the national comparison groups.

"This is good news, but I would be more pleased if we could drive the numbers closer to zero," Myers added.

Although Myers does not believe Adderall abuse is a problem here at UP, many students say otherwise.

"I don't know anyone who hasn't taken Adderall at least once or twice at UP," said Molly, a senior who declined to be identified for this story.

Molly, like many other students, said she uses Adderall as a pick-me-up during times of stress.

"I like to call Adderall my study drug," Molly said. "When I'm on Adderall, all I want to do is write my paper or study, and I can stay focused all night. When I was working on my capstone last semester, I took Adderall and I was able to stay awake for 2 1-2 days straight."

Some Adderall users have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. Jessica, a senior who also asked for anonymity for this story, was diagnosed with ADD just a little over a year ago and takes Adderall to stay focused on her daily tasks. Without her medication, staying on task is difficult and oftentimes impossible.

"When I take it, I can actually sit down and read a book without getting fidgety and just giving up," Jessica said. "If you have a severe case of ADD it really affects your whole life, and I don't know if most people understand this."

The problem is that at the end of the month, if Jessica has extra pills, she sells them to ?tired, stressed out students for $5 a pop.

"I would say about 60 percent of the people I associate with take Adderall on occasion," Jessica said. "They don't take it regularly, but they definitely take it. And the number of pills I sell tends to skyrocket during finals week."

Jessica is not the only student selling her leftover Adderall pills for a little extra cash to students on campus, according to John, a senior nursing student.

"You hear a lot about Adderall around UP, especially as a nursing student," said John, who also requested anonymity. "When the exams and homework get to be nonstop, it's what a lot of students turn to. It's so easy to get - why wouldn't you use it?"

John also mentioned that several of his friends crush and snort the drug before heading out to parties and clubs.

Senior Rachel, who asked not to be named, has never taken Adderall, although she knows where she could get it if she really needed it.

"The thought has crossed my mind to get it from some friends who have prescriptions, especially during midterms or finals week," Rachel said. "I feel like it is readily available, you just have to ask around."

Although many students may be getting that extra boost of energy from Adderall, chemistry professor Angela Hoffman advises students to think twice before swallowing any pill that is not prescribed to them.

"The structure of Adderall is close enough to that of meth that it has serious potential to be harmful and very addictive," Hoffman said. "Over time, if the drug has not been prescribed to you, your brain may lose some effectiveness. I would put great big cautions on taking anything that is not prescribed to you. If you're having problems focusing, talk to your doctor first - don't just jump right in!"

Under the U.S. Controlled Substance Act, Adderall is classified as a Schedule II drug. All substances are required to be labeled in one of five schedules or classifications. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Food and Drug Administration determine which substances are added or removed from the various schedules, based on different qualifications. According to health and government officials, Schedule II drugs, which include both Adderall and cocaine, have a high potential for abuse and for severe psychological or physical dependence if they are abused. When a patient is diagnosed and is prescribed a Schedule II drug, the prescription comes with severe restrictions.

The label on the side of the Adderall bottle contains a serious warning about the potential for abuse. It reads: "Amphetamines have a high potential for abuse. Taking amphetamines for long periods of time may lead to drug addiction. Particular attention should be paid to the possibility of people obtaining amphetamines for non-therapeutic use or distribution to others. Misuse may cause sudden death and serious cardiovascular adverse events."

Along with the potential for addiction, the FDA warns Adderall users about several other potential side effects of the drug. These include loss of appetite, weight loss, difficulty sleeping, dry mouth, headaches, mood changes and restlessness.

"A lot of times I will just crash after taking it because I go and go and go without eating anything," Jessica said. "That is one of the downsides to taking Adderall for sure. But for me, the benefits far outweigh the harm, because I have ADD and I actually need the drug. I can definitely see how it could be harmful for people who don't need it though."

"What if someone has a bad reaction and dies?" Burke-Sivers asked. "How are students supposed to know how that drug will react with other drugs or alcohol? They don't know, and that's frightening."

The health risks of Adderall are not the only reason why students should think twice before swishing down a pill that has not been prescribed to them.

Mary Wheat, a Portland Police Department detective and public information officer, warned that selling or using Adderall, or any other prescription drug, without a prescription is illegal.

"The punishment all depends on your background and whether or not you've been caught before," Wheat said. "But this is a serious offense and what students should really be concerned about is if they sell the drug to someone and that person gets injured, overdoses or dies, we will come after you for selling the drug. All bets are off, and there will be consequences."

If students get caught for selling or taking prescription drugs illegally on campus, the University has its own consequences.

"We have an obligation and a responsibility to investigate this problem and start doing what we can to track this down," Burke-Sivers said. "If we find out who is doing this or you get caught, you will be subject to serious consequences. It's a separate issue if the police get involved."

"I wonder what students do to hold each other more accountable and to educate one another about the legal and health risks associated with misusing medications," Myers said. "Do students confront each other? If would be great to see students showing care and concern for each other in this manner."

So, what can students, faculty and university leaders do to stop this problem?

Michael Walsh, Residence Life director, said he has not seen the problem occurring in the dorms, but that the Resident Assistants are trained for drug and alcohol abuse every year.

"I think we really expose the RAs to the drug culture a lot," Walsh said. "They receive special training with the Portland Police and learn about all kinds of unusual drugs. We are always open to evaluating our training, however."

Many UP students may feel like Adderall is the only solution to the pressures brought on by the rigorous college life, but Hoffman thinks otherwise.

"Don't get behind in your studies and get enough sleep," Hoffman said. "Pulling all-nighters is not helpful because your brain never has a chance to consolidate anything, and sleep is the only way for it to do so."

"I mean, why would you put chemicals inside your body unless you really need it?" Hoffman asked.