Spring Break
Adderall abuse a concern
Stephen Davis
Issue date: 2/11/05 Section: News
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"I use [Adderall] the night before a big exam so that I can study longer or pull all-nighters," one student said who did not wish to be named.
"I take it when I have to do a quick round of studying. It's very effective," another student said.
Adderall, in pill form, is a prescription medication used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder/with Hyperactivity (ADD/ADHD). It is usually prescribed to children and young adults who have trouble concentrating.
Director of Security Robert Drapeau said, "We suspect we have issues with various drugs, which is always a concern for us. This isn't necessarily a police crime, it can be seen more as a health issue."
However, according to some URI students, they are using it without a prescription for a variety of reasons. They said they usually use Adderall to help them concentrate while studying or doing homework since it acts as a stimulant, increasing the ability to focus.
Another student said her friends sometimes take it to lose weight. "It makes you lose your appetite so that you won't eat as much."
Other students use the drug for recreational purposes.
"I sometimes take it when I'm going to be up partying and drinking. It keeps me sober a lot longer and I'm able to stay up longer. I find it's a lot like doing cocaine but it's cheaper," a student said.
Adderall can be taken orally or crushed into a powder and snorted. It can also cause unintended adverse reactions as one student described.
"I took the extended release form of it and I stood up for three days straight. It didn't help me with studying it all. It actually had the opposite effect. It made me unable to study," the student said.
Medical Director of URI Health Services Dr. Fred Procopio said, "We're aware of the problem but not so much as to the extent of it. It's hard to say exactly how many students without a prescription are taking it."
One student said finding Adderall on campus is easy. "All you need to do is ask around and you'll eventually find it. Like, you can make one phone call and get it."
