2008 Woodie Awards
Teen abuse of prescription drugs increases nationwide
Issue date: 8/22/08 Section: News
The Student Health Services Pharmacy is doing everything possible to prevent the abuse of prescription drugs on-campus as trends of abuse are on the rise nationwide.
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University in New York recently released a survey which shows more teens are abusing prescription medication than virtually any other drug.
"We can only disperse medication with a valid prescription from a doctor," Patrick Moraleda, SHS pharmacy supervisor, said.
In some cases, if Moraleda or one of his coworkers believes a student does not need his or her prescribed medication any longer, the student's doctor will be contacted to make sure there is still a need for the prescription.
According to most college students, some of the more commonly abused prescription drugs on college campuses have become drugs for patients with Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder such as Adderall, Ritalin and Concerta.
However, Moraleda stated that less than 10 percent of the prescription drugs the SHS pharmacy distributes are drugs of this type. In fact, the majority of drugs the school's pharmacy distributes are basic antibiotics and psychotropics.
So how are students getting their hands on these drugs so easily? The most common method is from fellow students who already have a prescription.
"The easiest way to get Adderall or a drug like that is by asking someone who already has a prescription," Evan Tenuta, senior marketing major, said. "I know students who do not have a prescription and have tried it at least once."
According to an article by the Houston Chronicle, a recent study confirmed 23 percent of people say they have loaned their prescription medicine to someone else and 27 percent say they have borrowed someone else's prescription drugs.
When asked why students take these types of prescription drugs, Tenuta claimed it helps people study and stay focused. However, these types of drugs can be easily abused.
"I've seen people take an Adderall and go out and drink all night," Tenuta said. "I've also seen people snort it."
According to the Archives of Internal Medicine, in a recent study of nearly 50 million U.S. death certificates, more than 224,000 involved fatal medication errors, including overdoses and mixing prescription drugs with alcohol and street drugs.
According to a recent survey, nearly 20 percent of students on campus are unaware of the services of the SHS Pharmacy.
"We are here to serve the students when needed," he said.
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University in New York recently released a survey which shows more teens are abusing prescription medication than virtually any other drug.
"We can only disperse medication with a valid prescription from a doctor," Patrick Moraleda, SHS pharmacy supervisor, said.
In some cases, if Moraleda or one of his coworkers believes a student does not need his or her prescribed medication any longer, the student's doctor will be contacted to make sure there is still a need for the prescription.
According to most college students, some of the more commonly abused prescription drugs on college campuses have become drugs for patients with Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder such as Adderall, Ritalin and Concerta.
However, Moraleda stated that less than 10 percent of the prescription drugs the SHS pharmacy distributes are drugs of this type. In fact, the majority of drugs the school's pharmacy distributes are basic antibiotics and psychotropics.
So how are students getting their hands on these drugs so easily? The most common method is from fellow students who already have a prescription.
"The easiest way to get Adderall or a drug like that is by asking someone who already has a prescription," Evan Tenuta, senior marketing major, said. "I know students who do not have a prescription and have tried it at least once."
According to an article by the Houston Chronicle, a recent study confirmed 23 percent of people say they have loaned their prescription medicine to someone else and 27 percent say they have borrowed someone else's prescription drugs.
When asked why students take these types of prescription drugs, Tenuta claimed it helps people study and stay focused. However, these types of drugs can be easily abused.
"I've seen people take an Adderall and go out and drink all night," Tenuta said. "I've also seen people snort it."
According to the Archives of Internal Medicine, in a recent study of nearly 50 million U.S. death certificates, more than 224,000 involved fatal medication errors, including overdoses and mixing prescription drugs with alcohol and street drugs.
According to a recent survey, nearly 20 percent of students on campus are unaware of the services of the SHS Pharmacy.
"We are here to serve the students when needed," he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Mary Rieserieser
posted 9/17/08 @ 1:02 PM CST
Narconon Drug Rehab has seen a definite increase in the number of people seeking help for prescription drug addiction.
The sad thing is many are college and in many cases, high school students, who think prescription meds are 'safer' than street drugs. (Continued…)
Post a Comment