The Increasing Use of “Study Drugs” on College Campuses
May 11th, 2015
Late night study sessions before finals used to consist of pots full of coffee to help students study. Now, instead of copious amounts of caffeine, more students on college campuses are using so-called “study drugs” to cram all night. These drugs consist of Adderall, Ritalin and Vyvanse, among other drugs.
Study Drugs on the Rise
The illegal use of these prescription drugs are increasing on college campuses across the country. One study reported that about one in five students attending Ivy League universities admitted to using prescription stimulants to help them study. Researchers have found that the prevalence of these drugs vary among schools, but they usually range from 0 to 30 percent.
When are Study Drugs Used?
While some students admit to using these prescription drugs to help them study for finals or important tests, other students admit to using them several times a week, despite the fact they do not have a prescription for the drugs.
Controlling Prescription Stimulants
Most campuses have regulations in place to handle the use of illicit drugs like marijuana or using alcohol on campus, but most colleges do not have policies for the illegal use of prescription stimulants for academic purposes. While some colleges may see it as cheating, the majority of students who take these drugs do not.
Some campuses, like Wesleyan University and Duke University have banned the use of these stimulants as study aids, but students report the demand for the drugs is still high . Students continue to use the drugs because they cannot concentrate without them and they are readily available on campus. In addition, the use of these drugs is commonly accepted among students. College students probably won’t go back to using caffeine as the main stimulant choice anytime soon.
