Should SDSu student use ADHD drug to help them study - Essay Example

? Should SDSu use ADHD Drug to help them Study? Should SDSu use ADHD Drug to help them Study? With theongoing efforts towards education reforms, focus has shifted towards students with special needs. In particular, there are heated debates on how best to accommodate for the needs of students presenting with attention deficit disorders. Student presenting with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), exhibit behavioral characteristics such as impulsivity, inattention and hyperactivity, which make learning and teaching difficult. These students can manage their condition and achieve enhanced performance in examinations by using prescribed drugs. On the other hand, there are students who abuse these drugs by taking them even though they do not have the condition. This is very common among students who have high expectations to excel. Despite the significant risks associated with ADHD drugs, some students take them without proper medical advice in order to cope with high expectations and academic standards. Even for students with ADHD, the drugs only improve concentration and attention but do not help when it comes to studying. Preliminary investigations show that the primary motive as to why students take ADHD drugs is for study help. Since ADHD drugs are one of the most abused drugs among students, the current paper examines whether SDSu students should use these drugs. Using ethical and logical (health concerns) arguments, we argue that only students with special needs, having been examined by relevant specialists, should be allowed to take ADHD drugs. Application of Appeal of Logic Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was originally believed to be a pediatric condition. Children who suffer from ADHD continue experiencing the symptoms even in adulthood. Adderall is the most common prescribed drug for students with ADHD, with Ritalin and Dexedrine. ADHD stimulant is a legal drug as compared to other illegal drugs sold on the street. When one buys these drugs, it is evident that dirty druggies like those who prepare cocaine do not prepare the drug. Therefore, SDSu students with special needs should use ADHD drugs because most people trust the drug’s medical founding. It is quite evident that medical experts would not deceive the public about the ADHD stimulant quality. ADHD drugs are perceived to be stimulants because they expand dopamine in the brain. There has been an increase in the consumption of ADHD stimulants in the United States of America that is, individuals’ expenditure on these drugs rose from 83% to 90% from the year 1993 to 2003. The increase in consumption of these drugs does not only apply in United States but also the rest of the world. Usually, students use these drugs to curb exam pressures since sleepiness and fatigue makes it hard for students to study. However, students use these drugs not necessarily to score high but to concentrate during study. In addition, using the ADHD stimulants is not legal because Adderall is a controllable stimulant just like cocaine (Oremus, 2013). Application of Appeal of Emotion Research indicates that some students take ADHD stimulants for the right reason. Students use these stimulants to encourage positive outcomes: good and high grades. For instance, Oremus (2013) explains that these drugs allow one to hold attention for long hours when performing a task. The stimulants also increase individuals’ ability to remember, multitask, and to be faster in handling activities. Crusius and Channell (2010) claims that taking ADHD drug helps students think better and perform successfully and professionally in schoolwork. However, ADHD drug is for individuals who want success in their work towards achieving their goals. According to Oremus, (2013), Cambridge undergraduate students who employ ADHD drugs in their studies and their consumption has resulted to enhancements such as recollecting of information within a short duration and planning capabilities. If a student wants to experience a productive day, it is important to consume these drugs to boost their mental energy and thinking. Nevertheless, most students use these drugs because their colleagues are using and they do not want to be disadvantaged, and there are many students prescribed on the drugs thereby making it easy to access the drug. Academic demands, particularly in more competitive schools force students to take ADHD stimulants so as receive the cognitive benefits of the drug. SDSu students should be encouraged to use these drugs because it will make it easier for them to stay for long hours concentrating on a certain work without being affected by others. However, non-ADHD users see ADHD stimulant as the best cognitive enhancement drug so that they may “work more, sleep less hours, and obtain a better handle in their busy lives” (Oremus, 2013). Application of Appeal of Character Despite the fact that some people may think that nonprescription ADHD users do not gain from using this drug, it is evident that no side effects and they advantaged just as if the prescribed users are. Moreover, none of individuals who take ADHD stimulants has claimed to be at health risk considering their observations. However, students cannot be addicted to taking this drug. This is because stimulant utilization is safe and acceptable since ADHD users are more deliberate about the reason as to why they use it. Considering high demands in ADHD stimulants by students, shortage of these drugs in has been reported in most pharmacies across the world (Oremus, 2013). Nevertheless, some people may lose their appetite and have trouble in sleeping due to consumption of these drugs. Considering personal experience and observation on the use of ADHD stimulants, we have looked at friends and associates on several occasions take stimulants without any negative consequences. Using ADHD stimulants has no harmful internal and physical effects. We have also observed colleagues who have used ADHD drugs and it really gives them unfair advantage that attracts others into taking these drugs. Taking these stimulants even without prescription is worth taking the risk because it improves our capability to study. However, there is nonacademic motive such as being high has been reported as to why people want to use these stimulants. Conclusion In conclusion, SDSu students who have the attention deficit condition confirmed by a specialist should use ADHD drugs. These drugs will help them study in order to spend more time working and less time daydreaming or sleeping. However, it is not morally right to have students take non-prescribed drugs for whatever reason. For those with the condition, ADHD drugs increases student’s memory, planning ability, and most students use them during times of academic stress. Since students use these drugs to enhance performance, most of them do not feel guilty or get addicted because they only use them during exam times. In addition, future research should focus on underpinning the risks and benefits of nonprescription use of these stimulants for occasional users such as students. In light of these arguments, medical experts must address the mistaken belief that ADHD stimulants have no harmful effects. There is need for research on the academic, societal, and biomedical effects of illicit ADHD stimulant consumption among students. References Crusius, T. & Channell, C. 2010. The Aims of Argument: A Text and Reader (7th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. Oremus, W. (2013). Are ADHD Drugs Dangerous? Can They Make You Smarter? Retrieved December, 5 2013 from http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/superman/2013/03/adderall_ritalin_vyvanse_do_smart_pills_work_if_you_don_t_have_adhd.html Read More