Study drug deliberation among Penn State community members

By Olivia Catena

STATE COLLEGE, Pa.-- The effect of study drugs on college campuses was discussed in a

deliberation event held by Penn State students.

Students personal stories were shared as the events moderators proposed solutions to

combat this growing problem. This event was an open discussion between participants who were

interested in the issue.

On Wednesday Feb. 22, 2017 Rhetoric and Civic Life students took part in Penn States

chapter of Deliberation Nation. This particular event was titled Success Rx: The Proliferation of

Study Drugs. The event took place in downtown State College in Asendorf Hall at the United

Church of Christ at 7 p.m.

A group of around 20 students gathered to discuss the problem of the use of study drugs

on campus. In order to have a professional voice present in the discussion, a psychiatrist from

Penn States CAPS, Victoria Stout, also attended the event.

The event opened with all participants sharing why they attended the discussion. One

freshman student, Hannah Greer, said I had used study drugs in the past and wanted to see how

they affect people differently when theyre actually prescribed. A number of other students also

said they had never experimented with the drugs themselves, but knew many who have.

The first approach to this issue was to improve schooling and education as a whole. A

lot of students think that study drugs are a way to accelerate them through the process of getting

to the top, Connor Grabowski, a student moderator of the event, said.

 This approach focused on the idea of restructuring the education system so there is less

testing and memorization. The group of students all shared how they have experienced stress

through examinations and spoke to the pressure testing puts on them.

Stout then asked, Do you think that taking Adderall makes you smarter? She explained

how it wont help you succeed long term. Stout said, if someone without anxiety took an

Adderall before their SAT they could fail it, because it makes them more anxious.

Students responded by saying Adderall doesnt necessarily make them feel smarter, but

they become more focused and the drug helps them get things done. One student, Richard

Novak, mentioned the fact that testing isnt everything saying, employers would rather have

someone with a 3.5 GPA and a steady resume rather than someone with a 4.0.

The second approach discussed targeted the pharmaceutical industry. Moderators spoke

about the history of the specific drugs and talked about possible ways to reduce the amount of

study drugs on the market.

The use of these drugs started in warfare when soldiers had to stay up all night in

dangerous situations. They took pills to stay awake and aware of what was going on around

them.

These drugs have become very easily accessible to anyone who wants them. Stout said,

at CAPS we are very careful at diagnosing ADHD, we require someone to have a very thorough

assessment, before they get a prescription.

The last method discussed as a way to fix this problem was to change the culture.

Participants agreed there is a large cultural gap present where abusers of these drugs dont

understand the consequences.

 Theres a tendency among young people to think that they are invincible, participant

Natalia Myers said, no one thinks in the long term. Everyone is told not to do it, but no one

knows why they shouldnt.

Drug education programs such as PSU SAFE and PSU AWARE were deemed ineffective

by student participants. The negative consequences are targeted from a legal perspective which

doesnt always resonate with college students. Participants agreed there is no mention on campus

or in advertising that shows people the side effects.

Greer, a previous user, said, I loved taking Adderall in high school, but claimed she

wouldnt recommend it because it may make you feel good when youre on it, but coming

down has a lot of negative side effects.

There was some disagreement when discussing whether or not people feel good about

taking these study drugs. Student Jack Kimsey said, there is definitely some pride in taking it,

everything about it is great and cool, but we need to change that story. While fellow participant

Myers said she felt good knowing that I didnt have to take somebody elses medication to get

my work done.

Possible solutions were also discussed among students. Freshman Kayla Bert said she

thinks social media is a good way to project this message and the negative side effects.

The possibility of there being student spokespersons was also discussed. Students said

drug culture is spread by word of mouth, and this can also be used as a method to prevent it.

Deliberation Nation is an annual event that is used as a platform to discuss a wide variety

of current issues. For next years schedule of events visit https://sites.psu.edu/deliberationnation/.