Pic 12: The title behind Wes changes to “Opioids.” “Prescription” appears underneath with the examples “OxyContin, Codeine, Percocet, Vicodin, Dilaudid, Morphine, Fentanyl.” “Non Prescription” also appears underneath, with the example “Heroin.”
WES: I was also prescribed a painkiller that was an opioid. These can be pretty strong, like, Fentanyl is prescribed in very small doses for severe pain and only in a hospital, but used any other way it’s extremely dangerous and can be lethal.
Pic 13: The text disappears, and is replaced by text that reads “Stimulants, Depressants, and Opioids.”
WES: What I researched is mostly focused on these three types, even though that doesn’t cover all prescriptions. Like antidepressants, that’s another class of medications.
Pic 14: Text underneath appears that reads “Check the resources page for more info specific to your state and school.”
WES: And marijuana might act like a depressant or a stimulant, it’s also different.
Pic 15: The previous text disappears, and the title “Misuse” appears on screen next to Wes. The ‘U’ is an open pill capsule with red flecks coming out of it, and there’s a cupped hand underneath. Text appears by it that reads, “Use by someone who has not been prescribed or in a way not prescribed.”
WES: So, what I was saying, about when my friend asked for some of my A.D.H.D. meds. He acted like it was no big deal. But I wasn’t so sure about it. My name is on that label for a reason. If my friend had taken my prescription, that’s misuse.
I could misuse my own meds, too. Like my first year of college, sometimes I skipped or doubled up doses because my schedule kept changing. I was taking my prescription, but not in the way it was prescribed to me, that was also misuse. I cut that out after a few bad experiences and talked to my doctor about adjusting my prescription.
I was surprised at the number of students who use these medications without a prescription or in ways they were not prescribed.
11 percent of college students use prescription stimulants, depressants, or opioids without a prescription, or in ways that were not prescribed. (Citation: American College Health Association, 2020).
So I’ve had friends asking me for some of my meds. Even though most of us get asked, like I did, most don’t actually go along with it. And that’s a smart move.
I knew someone back in high school who got busted for selling to other students. It didn’t seem like that big of a deal to him, he got his pills from a doctor, after all.
We were all pretty shocked how much trouble he got in, but then I thought, like this one time when I forgot my pills in the hotel room on vacation, it was a whole thing. I tried to get a replacement from my doctor, but I couldn’t.
Pic 16: The text “Legal and Academic Risks” appears next to Wes. The ‘I’ in ‘risks’ is a red exclamation point, and there’s an X below it. After a moment, a list appears which includes “Fines, Jail time, Loss of scholarships and tuition aid, Expulsion, Violation of school honor code.”
WES: Because it’s a controlled substance, they have to restrict access to it. It also means this kid was in as much trouble as if he was selling cocaine or meth.
I know he didn’t think of it like that. He was on the debate team, and he was good at it, but not good enough to get a judge to change the law just for him.
Depending on the drug, the consequences vary. And even if you avoid the legal issues, it could also mess with your financial aid, scholarships, staying in school or getting into other schools, and all kinds of extra stuff down the line.
So when my buddy asked for some of my pills, “Nah,” I thought, “I don’t need that kind of trouble in my life.” But I’d also take a little risk to help a friend out, so is it a big deal?
Now this is where my biology major skills really start to pay off.
Prescription meds come in these small, easy to swallow pills, but the chemicals in them can have a dramatic effect on the body.
My A.D.H.D. meds help me out, but I still get side effects here and there. Like, my doctor had to ask me a lot of questions before prescribing and it took a few tries to find the right pills and dosage. Like with the first try, I lost a lot of weight. A scary amount. So, we had to try something else.
I’ve also had headaches, anxiety, and sleep problems before my doctor and I worked out the right prescription.
It’s pretty safe for me now, but who would want to mess with all that if they didn’t need the pills? I probably wouldn’t, if I didn’t have to.
Other drugs have their own medical risks and side effects.
Pic 17: The screen changes to one titled “Stimulants” and contains the following information:
When taken without a prescription or more than prescribed, medical risks include
Citations: Wilens and Kaminski, 2019. Rabiner and colleagues, 2009.
Dangers of mixing with other drugs:
Using other substances while taking prescription stimulants can cause some serious issues and can put people in the hospital.
For example, drinking alcohol while on a prescription stimulant can dull the effects you feel from both drugs. They’ll hit you just as hard, but you’ll be less aware of it. So, you’re more likely to overdose or drink too much for your body to handle. If you’re wondering how safe it is to drink or use other drugs while taking your prescribed medication, talk to your prescriber about it.
Pic 18: This slide is titled “Depressants” with the following information:
When taken without a prescription or more than prescribed, medical risks include
Citations: National Institutes of Health, 2018.
Dangers of mixing with other drugs:
Depressants really shouldn’t be combined with anything that causes sleepiness, like alcohol, cold medication, or pain medication. It could slow your heart rate and breathing, which reduces oxygen to your brain, increasing the risk of overdose and death.
Pic 19: This slide is titled “Opioids” with the following information:
When taken without a prescription or more than prescribed, medical risks include
Citations: National Institutes of Health, 2020. CDC, 2020.
Dangers of mixing with other drugs: You should check with your doctor or prescriber before taking any other medication or substances, including alcohol and over the counter painkillers. The risks of death and overdose increases significantly when other substances are mixed with opioids.
Pic 20: The screen returns to Wes.
WES: You don’t hear about it often, but people can end up in the ER taking these meds without a prescription. Especially if they’re using other drugs or drinking too.
So, all that research helped me understand why it felt like a bad idea to give my friend pills. Why would I do something that could mess him up or get both of us in trouble, just so he could try something he doesn’t even need.