Prescription drug abuse produces adverse effects
Joey Flis
Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: Culture
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Stimulants
According to Ray Flis, a pharmacist for CVS, another one of the main prescription drug types abused on college campuses is amphetamines, such as Adderall and Dexedrine, that are prescribed for ADD and ADHD patients.
He said for people who actually have these disorders, the medicines will make them calmer so they can focus, but for those who do not have the disorders, they have the opposite effect, making them hyper.
"Many college students frequently abuse these drugs close to test time so that they can pull all-nighters to study for tests," Flis said.
"Adderall is basically prescription meth," according to one UTC student who was formerly a user.
Ryan said many doctors prescribe amphetamines like candy.
Many college students learn the symptoms of ADD and ADHD from their friends so they can trick doctors into giving them a prescription, he added.
"Many doctors will give prescriptions if someone looks out a window more than once," Ryan said.
Consequences of abuse
According to Watts, there are many problems that occur with abuse of prescription drugs. These include addiction, overdose, heart attack and stroke, as well as financial, social and personal problems.
Watts said many abusers like to combine drugs to get stronger effects in a shorter amount of time, which creates a "double whammy" effect and is actually harsher on health than taking the drugs individually.
She said prescription drugs react with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medication, herbal supplements, street drugs and alcohol.
With time-release pills, such as Oxycontin, abusers grind them up to break through the safety time-release mechanisms, which causes many overdoses, according to Watts.
Campus counseling available
Badger said UTC students who wish to learn how abuse of prescription drugs is impacting them, may contact the Counseling and Career Planning Center at (423) 425-4438.
According to Ray Flis, a pharmacist for CVS, another one of the main prescription drug types abused on college campuses is amphetamines, such as Adderall and Dexedrine, that are prescribed for ADD and ADHD patients.
He said for people who actually have these disorders, the medicines will make them calmer so they can focus, but for those who do not have the disorders, they have the opposite effect, making them hyper.
"Many college students frequently abuse these drugs close to test time so that they can pull all-nighters to study for tests," Flis said.
"Adderall is basically prescription meth," according to one UTC student who was formerly a user.
Ryan said many doctors prescribe amphetamines like candy.
Many college students learn the symptoms of ADD and ADHD from their friends so they can trick doctors into giving them a prescription, he added.
"Many doctors will give prescriptions if someone looks out a window more than once," Ryan said.
Consequences of abuse
According to Watts, there are many problems that occur with abuse of prescription drugs. These include addiction, overdose, heart attack and stroke, as well as financial, social and personal problems.
Watts said many abusers like to combine drugs to get stronger effects in a shorter amount of time, which creates a "double whammy" effect and is actually harsher on health than taking the drugs individually.
She said prescription drugs react with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medication, herbal supplements, street drugs and alcohol.
With time-release pills, such as Oxycontin, abusers grind them up to break through the safety time-release mechanisms, which causes many overdoses, according to Watts.
Campus counseling available
Badger said UTC students who wish to learn how abuse of prescription drugs is impacting them, may contact the Counseling and Career Planning Center at (423) 425-4438.
