Re: The Ritalin Generation

Here's an article released today on ADD drugs linked to 25 deaths.

http://www.yorkdispatch.com/business/ci_3495875

Abigail Weller

Prevention Specialist

Community Prevention Services

The COAD Group

________________________________

From: Drug Abatement Research Discussion
[mailto:DRUGHIED_at_listserv.tamu.edu] On Behalf Of Brian McMillen
Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 3:14 PM
To: DRUGHIED_at_listserv.tamu.edu
Subject: Re: The Ritalin Generation

Recently, the pediatrician for the Developmental Disability Clinic here
gave a presentation on drugs for ADHD. And, yes, Ritalin and Adderall
are common prescriptions for her to write given the population she works
with.

I raised the point that when she and I were undergrads we would pull all
nighters, but did not use these drugs. She responded that back then we
would boil up a pot of coffee to wash down the No-doze. And she asked,
which carries greater health risk, 20 mg of Adderall or a half-dozen
No-doze washed down with strong coffee?

So, yes, the purchase of one or two tabs to get through a night of study
would constitute illegal use. But, she is correct that the health risk
is less than what had been done in the past. Is it abuse? Yes, because
the non-proprietary consumption of any drug is abuse: that includes
coffee in the morning, a couple of Advils at night for sleep as a habit,
but I'll excuse a glass of wine or a beer with dinner. Clearly,
consuming several tabs in order to get an amphetamine-high is abusive
and dangerous.

So, what do you do about students who take these drugs for their
intended purpose, study and focus in the class, without a script?
Suspend them? Throw them in Federal prison? And, what is your counsel
to them: don't do it because in the extremely unlikely chance that we
catch you we will punish you? That won't wash and the students know it.

BAM

Brian A. McMillen, Ph.D.
Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology

Brody School of Medicine
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina 27834

252-744-2758 office
252-744-3203 facsimile

mcmillenb_at_ecu.edu (note: changed 01/01/2006)

On 2/10/06 1:51 PM, "Jessica Hinkson" <JHinkson_at_EDC.ORG> wrote:

> I thought folks would be interested in this student-produced piece for
> public radio. It's interesting to hear student perspectives on why
they
> don't think prescription drug abuse is a big deal...and why some see
it
> as a key ingredient for achieving academic success.
>
> Apologies for cross-posting! Have a great weekend, everyone,
> Jessica
>
> ------------------------
> Jessica Hinkson
> Manager of Information Services, U.S. Department of Education's Higher
> Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence
> Prevention
> http://www.edc.org/hec
>
> Chair-Elect, SALIS (Substance Abuse Librarians and Information
> Specialists)
> http://www.salis.org
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-hecnews_at_milhouse.edc.org
> [mailto:owner-hecnews_at_milhouse.edc.org]
<mailto:owner-hecnews_at_milhouse.edc.org%5d> On Behalf Of HigherEdCtr
> Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 11:50 AM
> To: hecnews_at_milhouse.edc.org
> Subject: HEC/News: The Ritalin Generation
>
> The Ritalin Generation
> Marketplace (America Public Media - Youth Radio) February 9, 2006
> By Michelle Jarboe
>
> "Many of today's college students have grown up with a personal
> knowledge of ADD drugs. There's even a name for them: 'The Ritalin
> Generation.' Some students are abusing these medications, either for
> study aids or for a good time. Youth Radio's Michelle Jarboe reports
> from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she says
> there is a thriving black market for ADD drugs..."
>
> Audio file available at http://tinyurl.com/7lwbg; full text transcript
> available at http://tinyurl.com/d6bbe.
>
>
> *********************************************************
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Brian A. McMillen, Ph.D.
Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology

Brody School of Medicine
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina 27834

252-744-2758 office
252-744-3203 facsimile

mcmillenb_at_ecu.edu (note: changed 01/01/2006)
Received on 02/10/06