Concerta: a drug of choice at Rhodes

So while my coffee cools down I thought I might take a moment to disseminate some worthwhile word vomit in the form of a blog. Readers have been warned.

The debate of popping pills to improve performance always comes up during exam time. Matric finals and university exams are currently being written around South Africa. It's a tentative time - I don't want to use stressful because I might just offend someone who's reading this and they could possibly explode due to the amount of stress that is building up at the base of their neck. So I try to use it sparingly during this unpredictable time.

But back to sex, drugs and rock n' roll.

I'm friends with about two people who have been diagnosed with some form of ADD or ADHD (whichever is medically/politically correct). Therefore, their medication has been prescribed to them via all the legal routes through a licensed doctor. They are both on a drug called Concerta which happens to be the drug of choice at Rhodes during these tentative times.

I'm not entirely clued up on the medical know-how and facts, but as far as I know it's similar to Ritalin. Students who aren't prescribed the drug buy from their friends. The consumption of such a drug often takes place the night before an assignment is due or exam where the work and studying have been left to the last minute.

Now, another friend of mine is completely opposed to this practice. She's a diligent and hard worker and, therefore, does not appreciate people taking performance enhancing drugs. Her argument is that she works harder than the ones who do not take Concerta for medical reasons and they are more likely to get higher marks than her. In June, after our mid-year exam results (which she did phenomenally well in), she wanted to bring this drug use to the Dean of Students' attention.

Not Concerta or Ritalin. Photo: Tom Varco

It is in some ways unfair for my friend who works incredibly hard without the help of any medication, but I personally don't give a damn. I feel the same about athletes using drugs to be better and faster versions of themselves. Why not let them use the drugs and just set different standards - higher standards? For Tour de France cyclists, just have a different category for the participants on drugs. Those who choose to do drugs and are honest about it can compete against those who do the same.

The same theory can be applied to university students. Students who don't need the medication, but use it are encouraged to be open about their drug use and be marked on a different set of standards. The drugs are performance enhancing, therefore, judge them on this performance. There just needs to be a new set of guidelines for marking: be strict on referencing, spelling, structure etc.

The use of these drugs are a personal life choice. Concerta is a dangerous drug for people who haven't been properly diagnosed and prescribed the medication. From what I've heard it can possibly lead to dependence and chemical imbalances. Like most drugs, it's not a vitamin C tablet that anyone can use. However, they have made the decision to use it. Therefore, why not accommodate for this choice?