Students falling victim to apparent focus boosting drugs

The pressure of passing with flying colours not only brings anxiety but also last minute cramming sessions colloquially known as all-nighters.

This pressure has now promoted a growing trend amongst students, which apparently helps fight the anxiety and sleep so they can study more - drugs.

Aided by lenient pharmacies, which do not care for prescriptions, students have turned towards drugs like methylphenidate, which is meant for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), along with alprazolam and bromazepam, which help with anxiety. Known commonly as ritalin, xanax, and lexotanil, respectively, the sale of the drugs hits its peak during exam season.

The manager for a renowned pharmacy in Lahore, when asked why pharmacies aid students trying to procure the prescription-only drugs, informed The Express Tribune under the condition of anonymity that it was mostly smaller drug stores or corner shops looking to make a quick profit which sold to students.

“Some students escape our watch by producing fake prescriptions and with no way to verify the prescriptions, we avoid arguments by selling to them,” the manager conceded, quickly adding that he realised it was illegal but it was the government’s job to introduce better enforcement mechanisms. He further alleged that the medicines were easily procured from pharmacies around Mayo Hospital, Gangaram, Services Hospital, and other smaller hospitals in Lahore as forged prescriptions could easily be obtained or the right palms could be greased.

Dr Ashraf Nizam, President of the Punjab Medical Association, acknowledging the growing trend of drug usage to study or focus, said that what many students did not realise were the long-term harmful effects. “Using any drug without the consultation of a doctor should be a no-brainer. However, by the time students realise that they have messed up; they are already hooked.” Concurring with Dr Nizam’s assessment, Dr Javed Akram, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health Sciences, told The Express Tribune that the use of prescription-only medicines meant to treat ADHD or anxiety had lasting effects on the nervous system.

“An excessive use can cause weight loss, irritation, and loss of appetite amongst other things. Just for a few hours of concentration, students risk permanent addiction,” Dr Akram said, “if they feel they cannot focus, perhaps they should consult a doctor first.” When asked for suggestions on curtailing their use, Dr Akram suggested that the government needed to rethink its awareness strategy against drugs and mobilise the provincial health department to start severe crackdowns. The Express Tribune spoke with the provincial health department to inquire whether Dr Akram’s suggestion could be implemented and was told by the department’s spokesperson that they were aware of the problem and would seal any pharmacies found to be selling prescription-only drugs to students.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2022.