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‘Smart Pill’ Use Skyrockets Among Students

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Posted on Jun 11, 2006

High school and college students are popping more speedy prescription pills than ever in an attempt to help them study.


Washington Post:

Studying with diligent friends is fine, says Heidi Lessing, a University of Delaware sophomore.

But after a couple of hours, it’s time for a break, a little gossip: “I want to talk about somebody walking by in the library.”

One of those friends, however, is working too hard for dish—way too hard.

Instead of joining in the gossip, “She says, ‘Be quiet,’ ” Lessing says, astonishment still registering in her voice.

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By faith, June 11, 2006 at 5:33 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Several issues to come to mind concerning “smart pills”.  First, it is patently unfair.  It provides an unnatural advantage to the user.  Study and ability should be approached by efforts afforded to each individual such as study, and application of material learned.  Not by an artificial enhancement not available to all. 
Next, we are human beings.  It is abhorrent to think that businesses, schools, other, should benefit by artifically placing unrealistic expectations on humans.  The risk is placed on the individual using the artifice, yet no risk is incurred by the business, school, or other by inferring upon individuals the requirement to take the smart pills to work harder, get the job, etc.  It is outrageous that the drug usage has not been stopped.  I add, too many people purport to be attention deficit when in reality parents get their kids routinely diagnosed so that they will have extra time for their exams, or qualify to get into more prestigious universities, albeit with this type “disability”.  It is my understanding that some Law Bar exams allow considerably more time to take the BAR if the student is identified as ADD.  Yet, the ADD tag does not accompany them once the BAR exam has been passed.  This is a very real disadvantage to regular students whose performance requires serious time constraints.  Is it fair?  No.  Is it just?  I don’t know.

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