- There are fears a growing number of students are turning
to a stimulant drug used to treat hyperactive children to enhance their
academic performance.
-
- Researchers in the United States found Ritalin, an amphetamine-based
drug, is fast rivalling more traditional stimulants like caffeine and cigarettes
as students battle with essay deadlines and exam stress.
-
- With recent concerns about children in Scotland selling
the drug to dealers or swapping it for CDs and phone cards, drug agencies
say universities in the UK should be aware that the drug could be available
on the black market.
-
- Ritalin, usually prescribed for children with attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD, is a mild stimulant that works
on the central nervous system to improve concentration.
-
- Awareness needed
-
- Researchers from the University of Michigan believe more
must be done to tackle the growing problem of students getting hold of
the drug.
-
- "Illicit use of prescription-only stimulants on
college campuses is a potentially serious public health issue," their
report concluded.
-
- "More work is needed to promote understanding and
awareness of this problem among clinicians and researchers."
-
- The use of the drug Ritalin has proved controversial
in the UK.
-
- Last year, parents in Scotland staged a protest outside
parliament, saying there were better non-drug treatments available for
children who suffer from ADHD.
-
- Critics have raised concerns about the increasing number
of children being prescribed the drug.
-
- According to the Department of Health, the number of
prescriptions rose by 22% last year.
-
- The number of children taking the drug is more than 254,000,
having more than doubled over the past five years.
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- © BBC MMIII
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- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/3181417.stm
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