By Duke Staff
Looking at today’s culture, we see the presence of prescription drug use everywhere we turn. From movies to athletes, we are bombarded with images of parties gone too far and worse.
What we tend to forget about is the other side of recreational drug use, a side closer to home. Students use study drugs to help them focus or stay up for long periods of time. They have been growing in popularity in recent years and at an alarming rate.
Adderall. Ritalin. We’ve all heard about them the night before the big test and when that 10-page paper is due tomorrow. These magical drugs are designed to help people with ADD or ADHD. For the average student, they get an extra drive to concentrate for longer periods of time and strengthen our focus on work.
While Duquesne is not the same as
Kentucky, drug use is still
present on our campus.
According to a study published on CNN.com in 2011, the use of prescription drugs among college students is an epidemic. In a study conducted by Alan DeSantis, a professor and researcher at the University of Kentucky, he tracked the usage of prescription drugs and found 30 percent of students at the university have illegally used a stimulant and 80 percent of upperclassmen in Greek life have taken them.
While Duquesne is not the same as Kentucky, drug use is still present on our campus.
But why do we turn to “$5 A’s” in times of need or stress? Should teachers recognize the harmful lengths students are taking to pass their classes? Who is to blame for this outbreak among today’s youth?
Looking at the bigger picture, we believe that the blame should not be put on one sole group or another.
Students need to recognize that cramming for a test or doing everything the night before deadlines is unreasonable. ADHD and ADD are serious conditions that require medication to help people, not to abuse to receive a passing grade.
Instead, we recommend seeking help when you need it. Duquesne has numerous tutoring opportunities on campus ranging from the Writing Center to the PA Acts Program. If your situation is less critical, consider power naps or managing your time with daily to-do lists.
The relationship between teacher and student also needs to improve. We’re not asking teachers to reduce the work load. We’re merely asking them to work deeper with the student. We have other classes in and lives outside of the classroom even when school comes first.
Lastly, the accessibility of these drugs needs to change. People can search the Web for signs and symptoms of a disorder and walk into the doctor’s office to get the prescription desired. The medical world needs to crack down before this gets any worse.
