The use of “study drugs” has become a trend among college campuses as a way to maintain one’s concentration, and has become a staple in the modern education system.

Often, the names Adderall and Ritalin go hand-in-hand with the words “all nighter” and “procrastination.” But these are still prescription drugs used to treat clinical problems. Adderall itself is an addictive amphetamine, classified by the Drug Enforcement Agency as a Schedule II controlled substance, right alongside cocaine and opium.

According to the United Nations, “the U.S. produces and consumes about 85 percent of the world’s methylphenidate,” which is the active ingredient found in these drugs.

Normally, these drugs are prescribed to treat ADHD and ADD, which are essentially acronyms used to describe a typical person’s lack of attention as a fundamental, biological problem. The ease of scoring these drugs – even legally – has created a giant bubble of supply that simply perpetuates a growing idea that one can succeed academically with as little effort as possible.

Most students who attempt to obtain ADHD medicines are “likely to be symptom educated prior to evaluation,” according to a study by the American Psychological Association. This produces false positives in evaluations, which ultimately means easily obtained medication.

We’re placing our control in external forces while denying the greatest power we as humans possess: our minds.

The temptation clearly exists and will continue to as long as stress and pressure are a part of the academic schedule. And regardless of where the physical source of the drug problem begins, the larger picture is more an issue of principle.

Mikita, a freshman advertising major from Mooresville, is an opinion writer.