With midterms coming up and the recent New York Times coverage on Adderall related deaths and addictions, a conversation sparked in our newsroom about why the drug is so prevalent on campus. We are not writing to preach about the benefits nor harp on its dangers, but rather to bring up the question of why.
Heavy usage, used mostly for but not limited to studying, is an accepted part of our cultural norm here at DePauw, and apparently at colleges across the United States. There have been increasing statistics about college students becoming dependent, and in rare cases, overdosing or committing suicide from the tumultuous mood swings that can occur from being denied further dosage. There are obvious benefits to taking these pills, otherwise it wouldn't be so rampant. They help you focus and they keep you awake. There is a significant proportion of the population who medically depend on them, however most people, especially on this campus, do not.
Obviously, we can't say that all of this prescription drug abuse is a result of illegal drug use. No doubt, our generation is overmedicated. Twenty-five percent of kids in America today have a chronic drug prescription. Depression, Attention Deficit Disorder, Attention Hyperactivity Deficit Disorder, these terms are constantly being tossed around but doctor's always have a simple solution -- medication.
But why? Is it because our generation actually needs this medication to function properly? Or perhaps it's because prescription drugs have become so accessible. Accessible to those who are prescribed and but also to those who aren't.
It's overwhelmingly common to come across kids in Roy O. West popping Adderall in hopes of blazing through a book or cramming for a test.
What has happened to our generation that we would risk the possibility of these minor to severe consequences to finish a paper? Is it the over-stimulation we have grown used to from being constantly plugged into technology? Perhaps that's too sweeping of an excuse. Maybe it's the higher academic expectations and growing competitive nature of our society. That sounds like a cop out answer too though.
Dare we say, that maybe, we're just lazy? Something to ponder over your next all-nighter.