Photo Illustration by Stacy Reeves - The Battalion Adán Peña - The Battalion

When hours of studying collide with a busy social life, something must give. One pill is helping college students across America beat the sandman into submission.

Adderall (amphetamine with dextroamphetamine), a popular prescription for those diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), has become the study drug of choice for college students, especially those trying to stay awake while cramming for exams.

Debbie Wood, the chief pharmacist at A.P. Beutel Health Center, said the misuse of prescription Adderall is a growing trend on college campuses.

"The literature that I have seen says (Adderall misuse) can run as high as 35 percent," Wood said. "If you just go out there and stand at the MSC and ask people, they are all going to know what you're talking about."

Adderall is both prevalent and, according to some students, a relatively safe alternative to caffeine.

"I think it's pretty easy to get (Adderall)," said a student who wished to remain anonymous. "I got Adderall through a friend; a friend that had a prescription. It's a way to stay up instead of drinking coffee all night. I took (Adderall) to stay up and to study and to help me concentrate. It helped me stay up."

Wood said the drug affects everyone differently, and that the risks increase if it is taken without a doctor's supervision.

Many students say they break the pills in half thinking that a smaller dose will be safer, which Wood advises against strongly.

"By destroying the time-release component, what you actually are doing is taking it all at once." she said.

Sgt. Allan Baron of the University Police Department (UPD) said he is well aware that Adderall is becoming a problem.

"It's been noted across the country that it's a problem on college campuses because a large percentage of the college population is on some kind of drug like Adderall," Baron said.

The exchange of Adderall has become public information. Facebook groups such as "The Adderall Addicts" and "Adderall Achievers" have message boards where students post Adderall requests and offers.

"(Facebook) is definitely probable cause to investigate if somebody is making these accusations that they have Adderall for sale and or would like to purchase Adderall." Baron said.

Baron said taking Adderall is a form of amphetamine abuse punishable by law.

"Adderall is an amphetamine, and it falls under penalty group two of the health and safety code," Baron said. "Just mere possession of less than one gram is a state jail felony, which is punishable from up to two years in a state jail facility, but no less than 180 days."

The maximum penalty for possession of more than four milligrams of Adderall is two to 20 years in state prison and a fine of $10,000. The maximum penalty for giving someone more than four milligrams of Adderall is even longer: five to 99 years in state prison and a fine of $10,000. The smallest pill available is five mg. One pill could land a student in prison for the rest of his life.

"College students in general don't seem to be very impressed by the legal penalties." Wood said.

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