Shocking study claims 25% of American students abuse ADHD drugs

By Pol Allingham via SWNS

One in four students abuses stimulants in some American schools, according to a new study.

The youngest drug users were found in schools and high schools where lots of pupils have prescriptions for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), suggest the findings.

Illegal ADHD drug use was even more common when schools had a large number of highly-educated parents, more white students, a medium level of binge drinking, and were not based in the North Eastern regions and suburbs including New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.

At some establishments over 25 percent of kids said they misused prescription stimulants in the past year without a medical reason.

Instead, they used the drugs, such as Adderall and Ritalin. recreationally or to stay awake.

Young people had a 36 percent chance of abusing drugs if they attended a school with the highest prescription rates.

The University of Michigan researchers said the study highlights a “significant” link between legitimate and illicit ADHD drug use.

Stimulants are increasingly used to treat ADHD, but they rank as the most misused prescription drug among teens.

Many kids are dealt drugs by their peers.

In schools with 12 percent or more students with prescriptions, eight percent of students reported abusing stimulants in the last year.

When six percent or fewer students had a script, zero to four percent misused the drug in the same period.

An earlier University of Michigan paper found students who used both stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications were more likely to use cocaine, methamphetamine and other prescription stimulants, versus those who never received the medical therapy.

Another found kids diagnosed and treated with stimulants at a young age had a lower chance of abusing the stimulants later when compared to those who started therapy at an older age and for a shorter time.

Study lead author Professor Sean Esteban McCabe, of the University of Michigan, said the wide range in drug misuse statistics means teachers should assess their own schools and students, rather than relying on data collected in other regions.

He said: "I can tell you that a student's experience will be different at a school with no peers who misuse stimulants versus a school where one in four peers misuse stimulants.

"Prescription stimulant therapy for ADHD does help millions of people, including in my own family, and students, friends and colleagues.

“It's critical to balance the need for access to these medications while reducing the risk for misuse.

"This is more important than ever with the increases in prescribing."

The experts recommended parents prevent drug misuse by role playing so kids know how to respond if tasked to share medications.

They suggested keeping controlled substances in a lockbox and monitoring pill counts, ensure schools have safe storage and dispensing policies, asking about the prevalence of misuse, contacting prescribers if misuse is suspected, and speaking to children about managing their medications.

The findings were published in the journal JAMA Network Open.