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Science

Student Drug-Takers

Science Reporter

Students as a whole consume an amazing amount of "relief" pills every year. But, "an aspirin a day keeps the doctor away," is not as safe as you think.

Aspirins, sedatives, and that most important student standby, alcohol; all come under in part of narcotics; along with heroin, opium, and the like. The other side of the pill pile contains stimulants or "pep pills" (containing benzedrine, caffeine, etc.) and vitamin pills.

Narcotic drugs produce certain levels of disintegration of the nervous system, i.e., the brain. The brain has the ability to integrate the actions of all parts of the body. The drug therefore lowers the ability of all parts of the body to function. For safety, this disturbance should be only transient, so that the body can regain its normal balance.

Alcohol is a narcotic drug. A moderate dose of any narcotic achieves the same effect of removal of tensions. Increased doses produce first, sleepiness, then anaesthesia, the condition, known as "flakers." Chronic excess alcohol can produce hallucinosis, neurological disorders, and general physical and mental deterioration.

Pain relievers or analgesics like aspirins, reduce pain by a moderate degree of disintegration of bruin function. Potent analgesics in large quantities have harmful effects.

Stimulants are of two types; potent, like "pep" pills, and mild ones like tea, coffee and cocoa, "Pep" pills act on the heart and brain. They cause mild intoxication, lack of appetite and anxiety. From large doses hallucinations may develop. Although they offer a period of wakefulness, this is acquired at the price of diminished accuracy of memory and reasoning powers. It is courting disaster to take these as preexamination "pep" pills. Mild stimulants are of use in normal amounts, an excess gives an "after depression" effect.

A word of warning from another quarter. With winter's chilly blast preceding a barrage of Vitamin D type anil-cold pills; beware, excessive Vitamin D can produce calcification of the soft tissues of the body.

All of the aforementioned drugs are harmful in excess. If you must use them, do so in moderation, but do not regard them as a continual crutch for living.