Should universities and colleges start testing for 'smart' drugs?

Don’t worry about what other students are doing. You’re not there for them.
Finish your education on go on with life.
Obviously you think it’s cheating so discussing that part is moot.

Testing would be a mess because then you penalize the people who are prescribed those drugs for a legitimate condition.

In addition, does that also suggest that caffeine gives an unfair advantage? Are coffee drinkers and red bull consumers also cheaters?
I think with schools strapped for cash as is, it’d be wasteful to start drug testing students when that money could be spent elsewhere more wisely.

I say, stop being so &^% competitive and stop caring what other people do for their own advantage. Just live your life the way you want, and let other people live the way they want.

what about those students who need it and are prescribed it? surely those people who take it and dont need it puts those students who do need it almost back to square 1.

I am not for the testing. I am against using the drugs without a diagnosis.

These drugs don’t actually make anyone smarter, you know.

@netgrrl but they increase your ability to stay focused, allowing you to concentrate for longer and therefore revise more without gettin distracted by things such as facebook/fluther/tv. I find I will concentrate for about an average of 4 to 5 mins when revising and then take about 20 mins off however my friend who has taken ritalin who had the same concentration span as me can revise pretty much all day without stopping (with the exception of toilet breaks, that would be nasty)

@bongo: Unless you are planning to take a stimulant every day, you’re better off being who you are, even during the stress of timed tests.

Isn’t it illegal to possess Ritalin if you don’t have a prescription for it? If so, the school should treat it as they do any other drug. Do colleges also hold random tests for Xanax and marijuana? No, first because it’s not cost-effective, second because random drug testing is an invasion of privacy.

Ritalin is a psychostimulant, not much different from buying speed off the street.

What you’re really asking us, should universities begin drug testing for psychostimulants?
Put students on probation if they don’t have a legal prescription for it?

Not sure you really want to go down that road.

@JLeslie I’m against taking drugs in general.

You take 20 minute breaks after working for 4–5 minutes? I have never taken a ‘smart’ drug in my life, but I can revise and entire 10 page paper with maybe one break. I might let my mind wander for a minute or two here and there a few times. Perhaps some people simply have a long attention span.

I have a feeling that all you need is discipline. Not drugs. If you can only focus for 4–5 minutes at a time, you’re not pushing yourself hard enough, unless you have a medical condition you’re not disclosing. Sorry if this sounds overtly critical.

Right. That sounds like you might have Attention Deficit Disorder or some such. Disgnosing these things is somewhat subjective, but it can’t hurt to get a medical opinion or two. Then, maybe, get one of these drugs for yourself (legally by prescription) to give yourself an equal advantage to the majority.

@Draconess25 Me too. For multiple reasons. One of the reasons that is almost never mentioned is that everything you put in your body has a side effect.

@JLeslie Exactly. And it’s just not natural.

@HungryGuy I definately dont have ADD, the things that I am revising is just too complicated for me to take in all at once. has to be done slowly for me. I do well in all my work without ritalin. there would be no need for me to take it.
@xxii yes i probably do need more discipline. I wasnt planning on taking these drugs myself! theres lots in the media at the moment with people not knowing the long term side effects especially in those people who take it and dont need it.

i didnt mean to upset people regarging this subject.there was a article in my university newspaper the other week on precisesly this subject and it was written by a person very pro testing. i just wanted to see what other people thought.

@bongo – I don’t think anyone’s upset. It’s healthy to debate these things openly. Though I’m saddened that there are people in the world who so lack a respect for private choices and personal privacy that they would endorse such a practice as drug testing.

Drug testing might be defensible for such professions as pilots and surgeons where utterly perfect mental and physical acuity is essential, but I can’t see it justified for anyone else for any reason.