“In the United States alone, 100 people die from prescription drug overdoses every day,” as reported by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a study released in 2013. They have “officially declared prescription drug abuse in the U.S. an epidemic,” one that SJHHS is not immune to.

Known as “the study drug,” Adderall is prescribed to treat attention deficit disorders, including both ADD and ADHD. According to the Center for Lawful Access and Abuse Deterrence, “13% of teens report that they have taken prescription stimulants, that were not prescribed for them, at least once in their lifetime.”

An SJHHS student (we’ll call him John), agreed to talk to The Express on condition of anonymity. John was prescribed Adderall at a dosage of 20mg six months ago and has observed considerable improvements in his daily life, including less behavioral issues, more efficient work habits, and an increased ability to focus.

Soon after receiving his prescription medication, John began to supply some of his friends with Adderall.

“I don’t feel like a drug dealer. I mean, my goal isn’t to make income. Really, I just wanted to help people,” explained John. “I gave just a little bit to my friends, it wasn’t like I was giving it to strangers. I gave it out, like, ten times,” he said.  

John isn’t alone in his justification. Nationwide, 79.3% of Adderall abusers reported that, “[their] most common source was a friend with a prescription,” according to a national survey conducted by the Partnership Attitude Tracking Study.

Darrin Jindra, assistant principal of discipline at SJHHS, explained that “with prescription medication and the abuse of it nowadays, it is so easy for peer pressure to convince someone to give up their medication. The pressure that [comes with] having the medication on campus, the pressure that now that person is under–to not succumb to it is difficult.”

However, that decision can have serious disciplinary and dangerous physical consequences.  

“[Just] being under the influence of prescribed medication without a valid prescription, that is actually a felony,” Jindra continued, “but for jeopardizing someone else’s safety… You can get expelled from school. Immediately. When someone is jeopardizing the safety of other kids on campus, that is a difficult conversation to have. What am I supposed to tell parents? Do you think they are satisfied with a five day suspension [of the student that was furnishing drugs]? Absolutely not.”

Principal Jennifer Smalley said, “I am disappointed to hear that students are taking it and I think that there are better ways to do well on a test or to perform well in a performance or athletic event. And just because it doesn’t hurt you the first time, doesn’t mean it’s not going to hurt you the second or third time.”

“Taking Adderall, if it isn’t prescribed for you, is highly highly dangerous,” she added.

John furnished his medication to a friend, a seemingly normal occurrence for him. Within a day, John’s life changed when his “friend was hospitalized for a night [because of that decision.] He thought he was having a stroke. He had blurry vision, he couldn’t feel his arms, he was slurring his words.”  His friend survived, but responses can often be even more permanent and lethal.

John admitted that he isn’t the only one who has experienced something like this. Another friend of his, also on a prescription for Adderall, provided his pills to a person that had an even more intense reaction. This person was hospitalized for multiple days and close to death.

“After my experience, and after hearing about experiences from my friends, I realized that [Adderall] is not to be messed with. Honestly, I regret it completely. It scared me into what can really happen,” said John.  

John explained that he changed his apathetic attitude after facing the reality of his friend’s situation. He added, “I won’t ever sell my medication like that again–never.”

“It has changed my opinion of the drug itself. Don’t take it lightly,” John advised. “Don’t snort large amounts of it just to have fun, it is a serious drug. It really is not to be messed with.”