Prescription Drugs

Refuse to Abuse Prescription Drugs! By signing the Refuse to Abuse pledge form, you are joining with over 1000 students and staff in the UW Colleges who commit to only using prescription drugs as they are prescribed.

• Prescription for Danger
  National studies and published reports indicate that the abuse of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to get high is a growing concern. Prescription drugs provide benefits when used as directed under the care of a health provider. But when abused, they can be just as dangerous as illicit drugs.
• NIDA Research Report: Prescription Drugs (Abuse and Addiction)
  The abuse of certain prescription drugs—opioids, central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and stimulants— can alter the brain’s activity and lead to addiction. This is a growing problem.
• "Legal but not Necessarily Safe" Article
  Prescription drugs have many side effects that can be adequately managed only when taken under a doctor’s careful supervision in a controlled manner. These side effects are often magnified when medications are taken in combination with other prescription and over-the-counter drugs, alcohol, or illicit drugs.

Ritalin, ADHD Medications, and Other Stimulants

• Ritalin Use On College Campuses
  The article describes Ritalin use on college campuses, outlines possible effects of its abuse, and recommends policies for institutions of higher education.
• Article on ADHD and Ritalin.
  It talks about brain activity and the possibility of overmedicating children.

More Information

Information on Prescription Drugs

CNN Video: Prescription Drug Abuse