By: Taylor Grant
Three million new prescriptions are written for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) patients each month. But there's a problem with some of those patients actually getting their medication.
There has been a shortage in the prescription ADHD drug Adderall for the past six months and the supply is running low. The shortage is having a direct effect on some University of South Carolina students.
Anika Willner has depended on the drug to focus and listen since she was ten. She's had trouble finding a pharmacy to fill her monthly prescription since August.
"I'm very shaky and jumpy and like hyperactive," said Anika Willner of living without her Adderall prescription.
Drug maker, Shire, blames the Drug Enforcement Administration for dragging their feet on approving an increase in production.
Richland County Sheriff's Department Forensic Director Demi Garvin says Adderall is one of 250 drugs that are in short supply across the nation. He says part of the reason is some college students heavily abuse the stimulant drug.
"College students who are using the drug for its stimulant properties obviously, either to stay up and study, or perhaps to have an extra boost," said Garvin.
One USC student, who wants to remain anonymous, admits to using the drug illegally. She says that buying the pills are cheaper than a cup of coffee and the effects last longer.
The price of an Adderall pill on the illegal market has increased because of the decrease in supply.
"Normally it'd be like $3, people were charging like $5 to $10... for one," she says.
Students are taking a risk when they sell or purchase the prescription drug says Garvin. The penalties of being caught illegally with the controlled substance range from fines to jail time.
College students use the prescription stimulant drug illegally to help study concentration.
Anika Willner relies on Adderall daily.
Demi Garvin is the Forensic Director at RCSD who says Addreall is being sold illegally to students..
