ADD medication misuse a growing problem

By Carly Kuppe

Western Herald file photo

Western Herald

Students across Western Michigan University’s campus are misusing Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) medications and turning to the Sindecuse Health Center for help, said Dr. Lisa Marshall, medical director at Sindecuse Health Center.

Semester after semester, Sindecuse clinicians see students come in after taking another student’s medication for ADD, Marshall said. They must be made aware of the risks of these medications and understand that there could be harmful side effects.

“Initially, students are reluctant to inform clinicians they are experimenting with their friend’s prescription medication,” Marshall said. “Reluctance to share information is not only dangerous but can also lead to a battery of tests being ordered to diagnose cause of chest pain or neurological changes in a young person.”

When students who are misusing ADD medication visit Sindecuse, they are in a state of panic and often complain of a racing heartbeat, chest pain, headache, sweating and feeling nervous, Marshall said.

“Some students in this situation find they cannot complete papers or tests because of side effects from medication and are hindered rather than helped by stimulant medication,” she added.

Students that take someone else’s prescription medication are at risk because they do not receive guidance and education from a trained healthcare provider, Marshall said.

This is because the friend who shares pills or the student who sells prescription medications does not convey important information about dosing, side effects, cross-reactivity with other medications and also warning signs.

In 2006, a “black box” warning was placed on some ADD medications, warning of the risk of sudden death. In addition, some healthcare providers are ordering cardiac tests prior to prescribing these medications, showing how serious these medications are. They should not be passed around or sold outside of pharmacies.

“The use of prescription stimulant medication is a growing problem on college campuses across the country,” Scott Spicer, MPH, associate director for Alcohol Risk Reduction, said.

“As a health educator, I feel it is my job to provide others with resources to know that there are plenty of ways to improve your performance without the use of drugs that have not been prescribed to you,” Spicer said.  “The key thing to recognize is that no one is perfect and a few steps to stay healthy are much better than finding a quick fix.”

Spicer pointed out that getting enough rest, staying active and healthy will lead to substantial, long-term benefits.

“Recreational drug use will continue to be an issue in our society; however, as health professionals, we must be aware of current trends and seek to find proactive ways of addressing them, educating the public and promoting alternatives that are safer and more effective,” Spicer said.

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Posted by HeraldAdmin on Apr 7 2009. Filed under Campus, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
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