U.S college students today are among the first to be raised in a society where prescription drugs are an everyday commodity. Science and its discoveries have become so developed to the point where there is a prescription drugs for every itch, ache, and pain everyone faces at one point. Drugs are a new normal. It’s no wonder, then, that people – especially young college students are more than tempted to use psychostimulant medications such as Adderall and Ritalin to improve their academic performances with or without a doctor’s prescription for disorders such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Surprisingly, unlike drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, college students view ADHD drugs no different than caffeine or energy drinks. (Loe, 2008) This finding raises the question if the use of ADHD drugs such as Adderall should be legal for college students to …show more content…
It is estimated to affect 5%-10% of the child population and 1%-6% of the adult population. Those diagnosed with ADHD experience symptoms such as inattention (not being able to focus), hyperactivity (excess movement that is not fitting to the setting) and impulsivity (hasty acts that occur in the moment without thought) (“What Is ADHD?,” n.d.). Around the 1950’s, patients used Ritalin, a stimulant that treats ADHD. However, in 1996, Shire Pharmaceuticals introduced Adderall, a patented blend of amphetamine salts, to compete in the market for ADD/ADHD medications. The product was so successful that Shire introduced a low but steady dose for patients to use all day long. Therefore, the popularity and effectiveness of Adderall has not only quickly spread to patients with ADHD, but those who do not have a prescription from the doctor (Times, 2013) As time passes, however, more people without a prescription get ahold of this drug, outweighing the use for prescribed