Why is it these days that we believe that a little pill can cure our every issue? Do you ever look back and wonder what happened in the good old days when kids were just kids and were what they were meant to be? Perhaps even consider why kids are comparatively much more competitive?
The experts are concerned about this issue as well. Yesterday, the American Academy of Neurology, published a paper that forwardly criticized doctors that prescribe “study drugs” that boost the memory and thinking abilities of children and teens that are healthy and would otherwise not require medication. Just think, this is not just a rerun of Law and Order SVU, this is real and happening right under our noses.
If the drugs are not prescribed, many students on college campuses can be found selling their prescribed drugs to kids that are just looking for a boost. The new terms to describe this phenomenon are “brain doping,” “meducation,” or “neuroenhancement.” Worse than that, however, is that doctors are involved.
These drugs are actually needed by some children and the fact that they are not getting it is downright frightening, but when these drugs are actually prescribed when they are not needed is downright stupid! Whatever happened to simply studying?
It is of the opinion of many parents that part of the issue stems from every child receiving a participation ribbon; all children are expected to be alike – no one is expected to be exceptional. Although this seems to be the reason for the problem, children want to stand out; want to be a leader and will do whatever it takes to be recognized.
Another issue is that American education is becoming so expensive that typical families cannot afford to send their kids to college any longer. Parents may feel utter desperation because of the financial burden that this causes them or because their child may never get out of debt, so they agree to these abhorrent notions.
Although this is an issue today, what may this do to our children in the future? Will there be repercussions because of these drugs?
Experts feel that there is a potential for the consequences to be similar to that of athletes utilizing performance enhancing drugs. The difference is that the brain is the central processing unit of the body and in children and teens, the CPU is still developing. If the brain is overmedicated simply to improve academic performance, the children could potentially be at risk of chemical dependency in their future. And for what, a couple points higher on the SAT or ACT or on state tests?
Is it really worth it to put our children through potential harm? What is this world coming to?
For more information about ADHD and the medications prescribed to help people diagnosed, look to the U.S. National Library of Medicine for more details. If you know anyone doping their children, please pass on this article.
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