So if these drugs are ineffective in improving cognition, and dangerous for both the users’ physical and mental health, why is abuse so prevalent? Alan Desantis conducted interviews on 175 illegal stimulant users to see how they justified their use and the arguments fell into a few main categories. Students argued that the drugs are safe to take, people have the right to control their own bodies, and that society would improve as a whole if everyone used them. Some of the points made by the proponents of illicit stimulant use are very morally sound given that they believe use improves their abilities, but they lack grounds.
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Those who believe the drug is safe to take non-medically believe that the effects on themselves will not be any different from the effects on those with ADHD, and that a drug prescribed to such large masses couldn’t be harmful. They don’t fear addiction because the majority of children who are prescribed at a young age don’t become addicted. They believe that they can maintain only using in “moderation.” Many people believe these stimulants to be as healthy to consume as caffeine (Trinity).
Reasonably, those who believe these drugs can truly benefit their lives believe they should have the liberty to control their own body so long as it does not harm others. This includes both people who believe they have ADHD and who do not. They think these stimulants are good drugs because they allow them to be productive, not just get high (Desantis et al.). Like the participants in the double-blind study, many prescription stimulant users believe they experience increased performance while on the drugs. In a survey of 184 college students, 74% believed that the misuse of the ADHD stimulants improves their grades (Peterkin).
Some believe benefits from these drugs are so strong that if more people were to take them it would improve society as a whole. “We have a moral obligation not to drink when we drive, work, or take care of children because it makes us stupid, why do we not have an affirmative obligation to take a drug that makes us smarter at doing those tasks?” (Trinity) They point to studies that show stimulant therapies reduce the risk of substance abuse and criminal behavior in those with ADHD as grounds for this improved society.
How do abusers Justify
use?
SAFETY
LIBERTY
SOCIETY
