Staff Editorial
While abusing Attention Hyperactivity Disorder medications has become increasingly popular, students are unaware of the severity that comes with taking prescription pills that are designed for someone else’s body.
While levels of ADHD vary among diagnosed patients, the medications used to counteract their problems are specifically created for them. When medications are distributed among buyers without medical supervision, the circumstances of taking another person’s medications become increasingly dangerous.
For individuals who are clinically diagnosed with an attention disorder, they are consuming medication to alter their body to have the same amount of focus that a person without the disorder would have, but for individuals who are illegally taking these substances, they are using these pills as a vehicle to get ahead in school. This uneven playing field causes misconceptions for individuals who truly struggle to stay focused. Further, it diminishes a diagnosed patient’s credibility for having a disorder. When such false information is communicated, people do not have a clear understanding of how dangerous taking prescription pills—other than those prescribed specifically to you—can be.
Like any other medication, individual’s bodies react differently to certain dosages and types of medicine. Oftentimes, people who are diagnosed with ADHD are known for testing out multiple types of medications until they find the dosage and type of medication that is best for them.
Although high school can oftentimes seem like a race to the top, whether it’s balancing your AP course load or outperforming your teammates to star on the varsity team, abusing ADHD medications is not the answer. Students need to understand the severity of taking any prescription medication not specifically prescribed to them for the sake of their life and wellbeing.