Pubdate: Fri, 31 Mar 2006
Source: Tiger, The (Clemson U, SC Edu)
Copyright: 2006 The Tiger
Contact:  http://www.thetigernews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2490
Author: Margaret Farish
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Adderall
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States)

DRUG ABUSE PREVALENT

Adderall has replaced marijuana as the most abused drug on Clemson's
campus, said city of Clemson Mayor Larry Abernathy. Adderall, the most
common prescriptive medication for ADD and ADHD, is also the most
popular drug to those students wanting a quick "fix" of energy.

"Adderall is a Class II controlled substance, the same classification
as oxycotin and morphine," said Lake Jameson of Redfern Health Center.
"In true ADD and ADHD patients, Adderall lets them focus and produces
a normal state of mind. For someone without ADD, it acts like speed."

According to Jameson, students without ADD who are abusing the drug
can experience the same side affects as methamphetamine, including
permanently induced depression, increased paranoia and weight loss.

"For non-ADD/ADHD users, Adderall may permanently affect the brain's
hypothalamus and limbic systems, which are associated with pleasure,"
Jameson said, "It also can deplete the brain's store of dopamine."

In the past five years, physicians at Redfern have noticed an
explosion in the demand for Adderall and are cracking down on their
regulations. A present diagnosis of ADD/ADHD requires a formal letter
from a psychiatrist or a family MD and a psychological test that
proves the diagnosis. Also, new rules prohibit refills on
prescriptions.

While some parents are angry at the idea of these harsher
stipulations, Jameson said the new rules will ultimately benefit the
students who truly have ADD/ADHD. Because students with a diagnosis of
ADD/ADHD are treated as students with disabilities, it is important to
weed out the students who are trying to ease their way through their
time at Clemson, he said.

"We wish we had a blood test," said Jameson. "The biggest problem is
that we need a better diagnostic test. Right now it's a loose
diagnosis based on loose data."

There is no physical exam that can prove a true diagnosis of ADD/ADHD.
It is this current type of loose diagnosis that has Jameson filling on
average one prescription for Adderall per day.

Another issue with students abusing Adderall is their lack of
information. The many students that buy Adderall, which can sometimes
reach prices of $10 a pill during exam week, do not have a clear
concept of the side effects.

"Just because it's a prescription drug doesn't mean it's less
harmful," Jameson said.

Students with incorrect diagnosis for ADD/ADHD have contributed to the
brisk Adderall trade at Clemson, yet some abusers do not realize the
consequences if they are caught dealing. Since Adderall is a Class II
controlled substance, dealers can be punished to the same extent as
any other illegal dealers of controlled substances.

"Students don't think of it as going to buy a bag of pot," said
Jennifer Goree, Redfern's Health Educator. "Their perception is
somewhat skewed."

One benefit of Adderall as a prescription drug is that physicians can
monitor the dosage level in patients, gradually increasing the doses
in order to prevent addiction. Abusers, however, have no such
guidance; therefore, the risk of addiction is substantially increased.

Safety can become especially compromised when students are taking
Adderall along with other prescription drugs.

"With other meds, it can be potentially deadly," says
Goree.

Abusers are also unaware that certain methods of taking Adderall and
other similar medication can be dangerous. The National Institute on
Drug Abuse (NIDA) describes injection as a common method of taking
these drugs.

"Complications can arise from this method because insoluble fillers in
the tablets can block small blood vessels," according to NIDA's fact
sheet on ADD/ADHD medication abuse.

Many abusers are not aware of this information, increasing their risk
of heart attacks, strokes or even sudden death.

In order to take steps against Adderall abuse, Jennifer Goree and
other staff at Redfern's Health Education Center are determined to
learn more about the problem.

"Right now, there is no solid data," Goree said.

To procure this data, Redfern will use the American College Health
Association Survey, which will be out towards the end of the month.
Redfern has written in questions about Adderall abuse and students are
encouraged to participate.

Both Goree and Jameson are quick to establish their respect for
Adderall in patients who truly need it.

"For those patients who need it, Adderall is a lifesaver," says Dr.
Jameson. "Adderall allows them to function normally."
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake