The prescription stimulant, prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is a relatively common drug of abuse among students, who can buy Adderall from classmates, friends, or family members who are prescribed the drug.

"It's like caffeine or Red Bull," said one Los Altos (Calif.) High School senior.  "It's like any other pick-me-up."

Many students know there are health risks associated with the drug, and that it is illegal to use the stimulant without a prescription. "I know it's probably messing up my body," said another Palo Alto High senior, who said the medication caused sleepless nights, chills, a racing heart, and weight loss. But he said the side-effects were worth it because the drug helps him juggle school, sports, and social life.

"You can't think about anything else but doing the work," said another Los Altos High senior.  "It's like tunnel vision: You just zone in ... You're able to really think deeply about the subject and show the teacher a different way of looking at the text."

Abuse of Adderall is especially prevalent at competitive schools. "It's happening more and more and it helps people understand how much pressure is put on kids my age to succeed," said Rachel Berman, who wrote about Adderall for Palo Alto High's newspaper.

"This just puts more pressure on people who don't take the drug," said Palo Alto High freshman Liv Jensen.

Matt Cabrey, a spokesperson for Adderall maker Shire Pharmaceuticals, said the company has not heard directly from any schools or students about abuse of the drug. "We're not getting calls from school officials or parents saying we have a problem here," he said, adding that a new, slow-release version of the drug, Adderall XR, has less potential for abuse.

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