This fall semester, Cosumnes River College’s Social Responsibility Committee is hosting a film series—You Are What You Eat: Pharmaceuticals.
Documentaries already shown in the series were “Dangerous Prescription,” and “Money Talks: Profits before patient safety.” More recently on Nov. 15 the documentary “Generation Rx (Reading, Writing, and Ritalin)” was shown.
The 123 minute documentary was part of an Investigative Reports series from A&E and offered an in-depth look at the short and long-term effects Ritalin may have on America’s children.
Since 1990, Ritalin usage and sales have spiked, increasing more than 700 percent.
According to a separate but similar documentary “Generation Rx” by award-winning filmmaker Kevin P. Miller, one in 30 Americans between the ages of five and 19 are prescribed methylphenidates (Ritalin) to control their behavior.
Both AOL Jobs and CNBC report that the highest paid degrees are those in chemical engineering.
According to an article by Health and Life “Adderall vs. Ritalin,” the drug and its popular counterpart, Adderall, are both amphetamine salts-based medications prescribed by doctors to treat symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Both medications prevent brain cells from taking up dopamine and norepinephrine, chemicals associated with focus, motivation and pleasure, according to the article. Adderall takes it one step further and causes the brain cells to produce dopamine as well.
More recently and ongoing, a growing national epidemic of Adderall and Ritalin abuse has occurred throughout the nation’s colleges.
Even CRC students said they have used Adderall. Choosing to remain anonymous, a 22-year-old CRC student admitted to taking the “smart drug.”
“I can study for six hours straight without being bored,” she said. “With them (finals) coming up, I will probably use Adderall to help.”
The CRC student interviewed did not have a prescription, and admitted to getting them for free from a friend who did have a prescription. Some students even said people will charge $5-10 a pill.
Through siblings, the family doctor or friends, there are many avenues to be able to obtain adderall or ritalin both legally and illegally.
On Dec. 8 the final film, “The New Medicine,” in the You Are What You Eat: Pharmaceuticals series will be shown.