Adderall is a prescription drug that when used correctly treats ADHD (attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder) and narcolepsy.  Adderall can also be abused. Adderall is very popular in the college party scene and with college and highschool students in general. This use of the drug is illegal and can get people into trouble. According to Desert Cove Recovery, Adderall is the second most used drug on college campuses. Marijuana is the only other drug that is used more. 

According to Officer Zierse, Copper Hills High School has had some issues with adderall. Although it has been found in pill form, he explained that people will also crush it down into a powder similar to cocaine. In the school year, 2018-2019 Officer Zierse caught a student or students with drugs every day for the first two weeks of school. Some of these drugs included marijuana, tobacco, meth and adderall. The drugs that students and young adults can get their hands on is increasing, and it’s not good for us, our school or our community. 

Adderall is made up of amphetamine salts (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine).  According to an article written by the National Center of Biotechnology Information, amphetamine is a stimulant because it increases the amount of dopamine, norepinephrine, and neurotransmitters in the brain. Although Adderall is a stimulant, it still has a ton of side effects. Some of those side effects include restlessness, dizziness, headaches, insomnia, anxiety and hallucinations. Adderall is a legal prescription drug but when used recreationally, it can cause a lot of issues to the human body.   

Students will abuse the drug in two different ways. First, to help with school work. When used as prescribed, adderall helps with focusing so some students will take them recreationally. The second way students will abuse the drug is to get high; adderall is often compared to cocaine and meth. The reason people take adderall instead of cocaine or meth is because adderall is a lot cheaper, according to Desert Cove Recovery. Adderall can become very addictive and can cause a lot of negative side effects in people’s lives. If a student becomes addicted they have options like Desert Cove Recovery or other recovery centers. If you think your friends or other students at the school are abusing Adderall or any type of drug, do the right thing and tell someone. Everyone is afraid of being labeled a snitch, but it’s best to tell someone a trusted adult in order to keep the students of Copper Hills safe and alive.