Baseball and Adderall
A recent article in the Baltimore Sun highlighted the widespread use of Adderall by players in Major League Baseball including Chris Davis of the Baltimore Orioles. With baseball playoffs still in the news, it's important to share information with teen athletes about the risks associated with the non-medical use of Adderall, a drug prescribed for Attention Deficit Disorder. Click here to read the entire article. 
What Parents Need to Know about Adderall
- Adderall is a stimulant drug widely prescribed to treat Attention Deficit Disorder and Narcolepsy in children, teens and adults.
- Adderall can increase focus, alertness and concentration. It can also produce a feeling of euphoria (being high).
- Adderall is a Schedule II drug as listed by the Drug Enforcement Administration. This category contains the most highly addictive substances with a medical use. The transfer of Schedule II drugs to anyone except the patient for whom it is intended is prohibited by federal law.
- Common side effects of Adderall include increased heart rate and blood pressure, decreased appetite, decreased seizure threshold and insomnia.
- Adderall can be abused for appetite suppression, academic achievement, athletic performance and to get high.
- Adderall use without a proper medical diagnosis can lead to psychological and physical dependence, including withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety and depression.
- When Adderall is taken with other prescription drugs, alcohol, marijuana and energy drinks, there can be an increased risk of overdose and cardiovascular and mental health complications.
- Non-medical use of Adderall by American high school seniors has been steadily increasing since 2009 as reported by the Partnership for Drug Free Kids. 1 in 8 teens will abuse Adderall or another stimulant (i.e., Ritalin) at least once in their lifetime.
- If you or another family member has a prescription for Adderall, monitor the supply to prevent drug diversion by teens sharing or selling to their friends.
Q & A About Sharing or Selling Adderall - response provided by Danielle Duclaux, Esq., Chief of the Juvenile Division of the Howard County State's Attorney's Office
Howard County teens call Adderall "the test drug" and believe it will increase their test scores...So why not take a sibling's or friend's Adderall?
Q. If a middle/high school kid (under 18) sells or gives his prescription Adderall to another kid, what is the penalty?
A. The consequences could include probation, community detention with electronic monitoring, or placement in a juvenile facility.Q. What if a parent gives their kid Adderall and it's not the kid's prescription? A. The consequences include possible referral to Child Protective Services, the health of the child may be compromised from receiving medication not approved by a doctor, possible prosecution for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, and other legal ramifications. Q. What if anyone over 18 gives Adderall to anyone under 18? A. The consequences are possible prosecution for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and other legal ramifications. If you have any questions, please contact HC DrugFree's Executive Director, Joan Webb Scornaienchi, at [email protected] or 443-325-0040.
HC DrugFree's Teen Advisory Council (TAC) Meetings
Come join us! TAC is open to Howard County high school students, and meetings will be held at The Barn at the Oakland Mills Village Center from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm on:
November 10th
December 8th
January 12th
More dates will be announced later. For more information, check out the TAC page on our website at www.hcdrugfree.org.
Consider donating as little as $25 to support our work, become a Friend of HC DrugFree. Visit www.hcdrugfree.org for a complete list of our Friends and Sponsors, and let us add your name to our list! Thank you for your support!
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