School life requires focus. Being unable to concentrate can be a crippling impediment for students.

Disorders such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) inhibit a person’s ability to focus, especially for long periods of time. This makes tasks such as classwork, homework and tests significantly more difficult.

Essentially, all school-related activities become much more difficult for someone with these conditions. To combat this, students should be encouraged to use their prescribed medication at the appropriate times.

The real issue is tackling students taking medication without a prescription. Both high school and college students need to be aware of the risks posed by taking Adderall and other ADHD medications.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, college students who use Adderall without a prescription are often also heavy drinkers.

The possibility exists that individuals who take a nonprescription drug for school could become addicted to other nonprescription drugs. The United States needs to crackdown on people abusing nonprescription medication just as an easier way to do schoolwork.

However, the side effects of these medications also pose a problem. Medications for ADHD and ADD, such as Adderall, can cause side effects such as sleep problems, headaches and stomach aches. These side effects often serve as distractions for students and can divert their energy from schoolwork.

Since individuals know how they are affected by their medications the most, students should have the final say as to whether or not to take any prescribed medication before a big test or exam. Students should be encouraged by both their parents and nurses to take their prescribed medication, but never forced.

However, those who have no need for such medicine should stay away from nonprescription drugs.