MEETING MERIC
U of T’s new president lays out his vision for the next five years MORE ON PG 8
VOL. CXXXIV, NO. 14
13 JANUARY, 2014
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1880
6 JANUARY, 2014
VOL. CXXXIV, NO. 13
Students cite pressure to succeed for illegal use of study drugs Liza Agrba & Salvatore Basilone VARSITY STAFF
Laura resisted taking “study drugs” throughout her first year, despite hearing other students talk about how much they helped them focus. Having procrastinated up to her second-year exam season, Laura faced a workload that seemed “humanly impossible.” She purchased Adderall XR through a friend who had a connection, and used it to stay up all night and do readings. Laura has used study drugs every time her workload has become too much ever since; she is currently in fourth year. “The risks don’t really cross my mind when I’m desperate for good marks,” she said.
The use of so-called “study drugs” for academic aid without a prescription seems to be an unspoken reality at U of T. Students interviewed for this piece report the common use and ready availability of drugs like Adderall, Ritalin, Dexedrine, and Concerta, which are prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd). Students cite pressure to do well in school as their main reason for using study drugs. They report that U of T’s competitive academic environment — combined with procrastination, work, and/or personal commitments — sometimes leads to the feeling that prescription stimulants are the only remaining option to succeed. Students report that they often purchase these drugs through stu-
dent dealers who have prescriptions. “Everyone knows that U of T is a tough university to do well in, and you always feel like you’re competing with your entire class. It’s like survival of the fittest, and I felt it would give me a competitive edge to do well,” said Jesse, a recent U of T graduate. “If you have other things going on besides school, it makes you do things that you otherwise wouldn’t do,” said Carmen, a recent U of T graduate. “Study drugs” are psychoactive drugs classed as stimulants, meaning that they temporarily increase mental and/or physical function. Canadian data on the use of these drugs without a prescription is limited. According to those interviewed, the street value of these drugs is $10
– $15 per pill, depending on the dosage. Students report intensely sharpened focus and increased wakefulness during use. “I was a little fidgety at first, it felt really stimulating. Then it was like tunnel vision, like you’re very focused, and not aware of or don’t care about anything besides what you’re working on,” said Laura of her experience with Adderall. “I zoomed through readings no problem.” “I would feel really wired and awake, and things in my environment would distract me less. It was kind of like tunnel vision, metaphorically speaking,” said Jesse, a recent U of T graduate, of his use of Concerta. Students
CONTINUED ON PG 7
INSIDE NEWS
FEATURE
Mixed signals on cost The new reading of flat fees
ARTS
Student’s theatre guide
SPORTS
Road Trips
President Gertler and provost Regehr disagree on how flat fees will affect life for undergraduates. Research opportunities, tutorial groups, and small class sizes may be at risk.
Ishita Pektar explores how print and digital work together in new approaches to publishing fiction, with a preview of our interactive online story, “Tea Leaves.”
With a number of student dramatic societies taking place all over campus, students are always working on something. Here is your guide to what’s happening this semester in campus theatre.
Liane Bailey from the Varsity Blues women’s basketball team and Cameron Bernier from the men’s hockey team explain their experiences of road trips as varsity athletes.
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