Some general practitioners in Stellenbosch might be hesitant to prescribe the cognitive stimulants Concerta and Ritalin to students, confirmed dr GC Verster, head of the psychiatry unit at Worcester Hospital.
This may be owing to what is perceived as an existing problem of students abusing these stimulants, suggested Chris Olivier, Stellenbosch-based counsellor who specialises in addiction.
“These are highly scheduled drugs and not without side effects,” said Verster.
Some general practitioners feel it is wrong to prescribe them because “it is cheating”, and feel that students should not use the easy way out, Verster alleged.
However, Verster said, this approach could be “considered judgemental or paternalistic”.
Methylphenidate, used in both Ritalin and Concerta, modulates some of the chemical transmitters in the front part of the brain, according to Verster. By doing this, it emphasizes the processes needed to focus on tasks at hand and drowns out ‘white noise’ caused by other neurochemical processes, he said.
Indiscriminate sales amongst students
“I think a lot more students sell Concerta and Ritalin in Stellenbosch than we think,” said a Stellenbosch University (SU) student, who wished to remain anonymous. The student is selling their prescribed Ritalin to fellow students.
The source was prescribed Ritalin in 2011 and now receives a 30mg long-acting dosage.
According to the student, they sell more than the “average person” because they are prescribed a large amount. “I prefer to sell to my friends – who will arrange to buy more than one usually would, like 20 capsules – and distribute it to their friends,” they said.
According to Verster, indiscriminate use could lead to abuse. There are some medical contraindications that illicit use would not consider, he said.
“There is also the moral issue of breaking the law – if you sell it to others. Even if it is your own legally obtained meds, it is illegal [to sell them on],” Verster said.
According to the student selling on the black market, they are aware of the legal implications.
“I know that it’s illegal. And it does go against my morals, but I just feel like it would be selfish of me to not share if I have an excess of it,” they said.
According to Olivier, if there’s a demand for something, and somebody is willing to supply to make a buck, there will always be dealers. “There is an industry for people wanting substances,” he said.