The
D A R K Side of Prescription Drugs 
It’s the end of the semester and you’ve been cramming, preparing for your finals and finishing your papers. Your body is demanding sleep, but your professors are expecting you to deliver. Your roommate offers you a hit of Ritalin.
Your girlfriend brings you home for Thanksgiving to meet her family. The annual event is notoriously stressful — including blow-out between brothers-in-law. In preparation for the big dinner, she offers you a couple of her Ativan. You rationalize using it because the holidays are a stressful time.
What is addiction?
The use of any drug can lead to addiction. Many of the most addictive and dangerous drugs do not produce very severe physical withdrawal symptoms. Think about cocaine, which is highly addictive, but does not cause severe withdrawal symptoms.
What matters is whether or not using results in uncontrollable, compulsive drug seeking even in the face of personal, social, and academic consequences. That's addiction!
You may find some people willing to share or sell their prescribed medications..
What can you do?
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Realize you may be held responsible if you provide a friend with your prescription medication (such as Ritalin) and they die of accidental cardiac arrest.
Resources for help:
Personal Counseling Office - 898-6504
Health and Wellness Center - 898-6217
Police and Safety - 898-6101
Local Drug & Alcohol Facilities:
GECAC
27 West 8th Street
Erie, PA 16501
814-459-4581
Gaudenzia Crossroads
414 West 5th Street
Erie, PA 16507
814-458-4774
National Poison Control Hotline 1-800-222-1222