It does sound like the post is talking about anecdata, but there have been some studies looking at prescription drug usage in students:
2018:
https://cssl.osu.edu/documents/cpds-key-findings-2018.pdf
2015:
https://cssl.osu.edu/posts/632320bc-704d-4eef-8bcb-87c83019f...Sure, there is still some issues with the methodology since it's a self-reported internet survey. Data I'll report below is formatted as 2015/2018.
18.6% / 15.9% of respondents admitted to misusing stimulants for non-medical reasons, 84.9% / 79.2% of stimulant users reported using it to study or improve grades. Consequence of use: 63% / 60% of stimulant users reported "Experienced a positive impact on your academics as a result of your use"
What follows was only reported in 2018:
When are you most likely to misuse prescription drugs to study?
76% answered during finals or exams, 53% Before a test or project, 38% When I feel behind, 17% When I want to get ahead, 6% When I need a competitive edge, 8% Continuously throughout the term.
When did you start misusing prescription drugs to study?
Undergrads n = 1,399:
29% Before college, 38% first year, 21% second year, 10% third year, 3% fourth year or later.
Grads / professional students n = 381:
10% Before college, 73% during college, 3% between grad college and grad school, 8% first year of grad / prof, 6% second year of grad/prof or later.
The 2015 study reports: Actual versus Perceived Use Among CPDS Student Respondents - Stimulants
Undergrads
Actual: 18.6%
Perceived: 33.6%
Grads
Actual: 6.8%
Perceived: 24.2%
We can use that to potentially assess the reported anecdata.
> Probably not much to see here other than some outrage for attention.
I think it depends. If the research quoted in [1] is correct, then taking these drugs either has no effect, or it only benefits low-performers. So, if it's only benefiting low-performers, then it needs to be determined if these low-performers are turned into high-performers, and, if so, does this mean typical high-performers without additional enhancements are losing out to those who are enhanced?
I suppose it's more an ethical / moral value judgement than anything else.
As they say in American sports: if you're not cheating, you're not competing.
[1] https://www.altamirarecovery.com/blog/adderall-addiction-amo...