Originally published July 31 2010
Even with life-threatening side effects, Adderall is frequently abused on college campuses
by Ethan A. Huff, staff writer
(NaturalNews) Even though the side effects of the popular Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) drug, Adderall, are potentially deadly, many college students are now using the drug to increase energy levels and brain power in order to get good grades, according to new reports.
A potent cocktail of amphetamines, Adderall is basically a legalized form of methamphetamine. You know, the kind cooked up in "meth labs" that so often get raided by police. But because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given glowing approval for it, Adderall meth is legally and commonly administered to millions of adults and children.
But according to a recent 60 Minutes report, it is quite easy for students who do not necessarily have a disorder to obtain Adderall. In an interview with a group of college students, reporter Katie Couric extracted the following about how simply a person can obtain this powerful and dangerous drug:
"I'd say it's not that hard [to get]. I mean the symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder are you're not able to focus, have trouble concentrating. You know, if you go in and tell a doctor that, I would say, you know, at least eight out of ten times he's gonna say, 'Oh well, you probably have Attention Deficit Disorder'," remarked one of the students.
This is not hard to believe, considering that many doctors hand out prescriptions like candy. And many people are willing to say whatever they need to in order to get the prescription they are looking for, which leads to widespread abuse.
So what are some of the symptoms of Adderall? According to the drug's own label, it can cause high blood pressure, anxiety, cocaine cravings, severe infections, heart attack, stroke, and even sudden death. Psychologically, it can cause a person to hallucinate, see strange visions, hear voices, and even develop extreme psychosis.
All of these side effects can and do occur when people simply take normal dosages. In fact, Adderall was temporarily pulled from the Canadian market back in 2005 because 14 American children died from taking it as prescribed. Another 12 children had strokes.
But the FDA made sure to conduct its own "study" shortly after showing that the drug is somehow still safe. Not long after, the Canadian ban was lifted.
To this day, the FDA continues to repeat the mantra that Adderall is safe, despite its numerous extreme side effects and widespread abuse.
Sources for this story include:
http://www.nottheexaminer.com/x-31589-Health...
http://www.adderall.net/
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