Adderall Drug Abuse Trends Among College Students
Adderall is a medication used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The drug uses a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine to control symptoms of ADHD, giving those with the disorder greater focus. It’s become the drug of choice among college students and high performing young professionals. But Adderall possession is a crime if you do not have a valid prescription.
A recent study of public postings on Twitter about Adderall allowed researchers at Brigham Young University to track Adderall use, especially among college students. Between November 2011 and May 2012, researchers monitored all public Twitter mentions of Adderall. More than 200,000 tweets from 132,099 users mentioned the drug. Researchers found that usage is highest in the northeast and the south, and usage peaks during final exam periods in December and May. Researchers also discovered that Adderall is used academically, not as a social drug, with tweets highest during the week with a significant decline over the weekends.
In Pennsylvania, Adderall is a Schedule II controlled substance, so possession without a prescription can result in a significant fine and possible incarceration depending on an array of factors:
- Mere possession or intent to sell
- Amount in possession
- Whether a gun was used
- Whether anyone was injured or killed
- Defendant’s criminal record
“Adderall is the most commonly abused prescription stimulant among college students,” said lead researcher Carl Hanson, a professor of health science at BYU. “Our concern is that the more it becomes a social norm in online conversation, the higher risk there is of more people abusing it.”
If you or a loved one is arrested on possession of prescription drug charges, contact experienced criminal defense attorneys to ensure that you are well represented.
