A few years ago stories like this one were rare. Now few years down the track, the misuse of medication among students has become a huge concern:
HSC students are taking illegally obtained prescription medication used to treat ADHD to help cram for their final school exams, which start tomorrow.
The Sun-Herald spoke to students from five schools across Sydney last week who admitted to using the medication, saying it improved their focus during study.
But medical experts warn that they are risking side effects as serious as psychosis and heart problems.
As students try to maximise their study hours, some are exchanging tips on internet forums about the most effective methods of combating fatigue. Comments posted on the boredofstudies.org website include debates about the effectiveness of caffeine pills and prescription medication, as well as cocaine and the hallucinogenic drug DMT.
A year 12 student from Ryde Secondary College said mixing crushed Ritalin in energy drinks was common among his peers “to get a good boost during tests”.
He tried the mixture while studying for his trial exams earlier this year, and said that it drastically increased his word rate.
“I was set to write around 2000 words but at the end I noticed I had written over 9000,” he said.
Students asked each other whether or not they sat the exams “natty” (naturally), he said.
He said the Ritalin costs $5 to $10 a pill. Students generally mix two to three with energy drinks, and also report snorting it.
“Usually a student who is prescribed it sells them to get some extra money,” the student said.
Click here to read my post, Who Needs Quality Teaching or Parenting When You Have Medications?
Click here to read my post, Get Your Kids on Ritalin Before Their Grades Suffer
Click here to read my post, It is Doctors Not Teachers Who Are Helping Children Get Good Grades
Click here to read my post, Doctors Create a New Normal by Over-Prescribing Drugs
Topical Teaching 