Magens Bay --San Thomas

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Good Grade Pill …


Call it anything you want—be Good Grade Pill or most commonly known as Study Drugs among kids. Yes. we are no longer talking about illegal drugs, we are talking about stimulant drugs that can help the A.D.H.D kids to concentrate. But, who do you think are taking these drugs nowadays? –Now you are seeing the picture that I am painting. Yes. They are those students who want to do better at school –in fact they are those who are A or B students.

Let’s take a step back, why are they here today? What made these kids taking prescription drugs? Yes, the parents, and the society. We have high expectation on our kids. Some of us are sending the messages that Ivy League schools are THE schools. And they need good grades and high SAT tests. Where are we when they are struggling to keep up with the peer pressure? –Are we there to be with them or we are merely pushing and giving them pressures?

Do we want our kids to do well so badly that we merely closing our eyes and don’t see anything? Let’s take a dive into the so call Good Grade Pill aka Study Drugs. According to the article “Risky Rise of the Good-Grade Pill” by Alan Schwarz, “The number of prescriptions for A.D.H.D. medications dispensed for young people ages 10 to 19 has risen 26 percent since 2007, to almost 21 million yearly, according to IMS Health, a health care information company — a number that experts estimate corresponds to more than two million individuals.”

“The boy exhaled. Before opening the car door, he recalled recently, he twisted open a capsule of orange powder and arranged it in a neat line on the armrest. He leaned over, closed one nostril and snorted it. Throughout the parking lot, he said, eight of his friends did the same thing.” In fact, ““Everyone in school either has a prescription or has a friend who does,” the boy said.” – I am dumbfounded!

Courtesy of en.wikipedia.org

Don’t mind them, they got the prescriptions either thru their own doctors or thru friends who have prescriptions and decided to either sell them or share with their friends. And how? you ask…--“Christine, a junior sitting nearby, said she followed the well-known lines to get her drugs directly and legally, a script for scripts. “I’m not able to focus on schoolwork,” she said in a mockingly anxious voice. “I’m constantly looking out the window.” –Yes, that is all needed, some of the kids mentioned in the article said, some of the doctors didn’t even finish listening and the prescription was already written.

I am not sure what else to say … I hope you would find this blog as a reminder to all of us, parents, to look beyond grade, work with our children and perhaps stop and listening to them before they are tempted to turn themselves to the “Study Drugs” for help.

Until next stop,
Journey of Life

27 comments:

  1. I recall when these first became identified with "study drug" nearly 20 years ago. Sadly it isn't going to stop until parents society makes a change in it's behavior towards them.

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    1. Yup! I worry because it is so tempting and the result is incredible. The kids can see the result right away without knowing the long-term consequences.

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  2. That is just plain scary! I am shocked, but not completely surprised that this goes on. I guess it would never have occurred to me that drugs used for that would make people do better that didn't actually have the condition. This is a real eye opener! Just as shocking to me as when I found out kids were buying cold medicine to get a buzz.

    Kathy
    http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com

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    1. Yes. Indeed. I don't even know how the buzz gets around ...

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  3. Wow! I don't know what to say. It's sad, it's scary, it's just plain crazy!

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  4. I agree with you 100% Thanks for the info.

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  5. So sad! It is so troubling to read, but it is good that you wrote about it so people like me are aware of this problem. It saddens me to think that parents help give them to the kids, or know they are doing this. We wonder why perscrption drug use abused and we are sending the wrng message to kids. An A, or a B on your own is impressive. No need for drugs.

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    1. Exactly. I am not sure if some parents know ... but at the very least, I stand my ground saying that we, parents, know our kids the best and if they have problem concentrating, we shouldn't turn to drugs--perhaps trying to understand the underlying problem and get second,third, or fourth opinions if needed.

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  6. Angela, it has become much too easy for doctors to dispense a pill here and more there. They are KILLING us with pills. And we are parents, or patient, just take the doctor's words for it, often without question. Sigh!

    By the way, Amiga, stop by my blog posts, Genie Grato, Food Editor for BlogHer, just posted a recipe of mine, a "BLOGHER ORIGINAL POST"! She commissioned a never-before posted recipe from me. Isn't that the coolest things ever?! :)

    Big virtual hugs,
    ~Virginia

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    1. OMG. You are so talented, Virginia. Heading over there now!

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  7. Alright, this is upsetting. I left a comment for you, moments ago, it had me sign in, I did, and then the comment disappeared. Sigh! So I hope you won't get another one after I post this one.

    Basically, I agreed with you about not jumping prematurely to give our kids pills. Doctors are prescribing pills like candy!

    By the way, stop by my posts when you get a chance. Genie Grato published another recipe of mine. This one she commissioned of me. So it is a "BLOGHER ORIGINAL POST". Very cool indeed! :)

    Mucho hugs, Amiga!
    ~Virginia

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  8. Very irresponsible for sure. The irony is that the real losers are the kids taking the medication without a legitimate diagnosis. Sorry, sorry state for them.

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    1. Very true, Elaine! Actually my daughter was the one that brought to my attention. She came across this article and told me about this. I asked her the very question ... what if she was the only one left without the medication...would she take it? She answered no and I hope she would keep it!

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  9. There are pills for that? Huh! But that isn't fair is it? To the kids who take that and create a hazard for their health, or for the kids that get good grades on their own. This is so sad. :/

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    1. Yeah ... unfortunately. I am not sure what to say ...

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  10. I had NO idea that there was such a thing...prescribing ADHD drugs to kids just to keep them focused so they can get good grades? Where are the parents? Why isn't the doctor asking more questions and listening to the kids. I'm going to talk to my girls about this and see if they've heard of it. Unbelievable!
    Visiting from Papa is a Preacher
    Carolina
    sewcarolinaknits

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    1. I was as shocked as you when I first read it. I am hoping your girls don't know --which means it is good sign.

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  11. What an eye opener; makes me wonder what it will be like when my 3yo is in high school and has those pressures. Also, thanks for visiting and leaving a sweet comment.

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    1. Yeah ... it was to me as well. When I shared that with my girl, she was shocked.

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  12. Wow that is pretty darned scary....I remember when I was at school even caffeine pills (to help focus) were frowned upon and these were things you go and buy without a prescription!

    Now it seems like everything needs a pill in order to be controlled...and while I understand that in some cases this is necessary, it is just plain shocking that children would use someone elses medication without needing it or without even knowing the risks!

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    1. And the saddest thing is ... some of the kids even made profit from it ... and I wondered where those money went ...-hoping that they were used wisely.

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  13. I think sometimes the pressure comes from the child too. I remember discovering coffee in high school and being astonished at how much more productive I could be with homework. I never would have taken someone else's prescription. That is crazy. Too much.

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    1. Yeah ... It is a very competitive world out there.

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