letters to the editor

Author: [no author name found]

To the Editor:

In response to the editorial about study drugs ("Study drug use on campus requires closer look," Nov. 8) and the honor code - from what Doug Sisson writes in his other op-ed (Adderrall's unfair advantage), obtaining a prescription for Adderall doesn't seem to be that much of a difficulty. Should the right to take drugs (what I see as, even if erroneous, a personal choice) be reserved for those who have connections and/or bad doctors? That could easily become a socio-economic disadvantage. And how do the authors justify drinking caffeine and Red Bull as a study aid while attacking study drugs? Is it just because the other two are so commonly-used? If only academic advantage is the issue, this new, improved honor code should ban anything that gives students academic advantages, no? I don't drink coffee. Should I get a petition going for extra credit from all of my professors? The fact is that I can accomplish my work just as well.

If 22 percent of students feel that they need Adderall to complete their assigned work, isn't that their loss? Why should I, like a 5 year-old, run to Public Safety hoping to get the bad boys in trouble? If you fear that your grades will worsen because other pill-popping students are becoming smarter and more informed, then why not address the official banning of grading curves? Then you would be evaluated for your work and your work alone. Not in comparison to Joe, the Aderall-snorting, coffee-chugging classmate. Yes, this might unfortunately mean that Joe still has a chance at making an "A" in the class, too. I hope we agree, though, that education should be an individual journey rather than an ego-booster - what Joe gets does not affect the pride and fulfillment I take from my work.

The author wrote, "The use of such drugs on campus is not only dangerous but also ethically ambiguous." I hope I've addressed the ethics issue. As for dangerous, I agree. The use of study drugs is dangerous - I have never used them. I would be the first to protest, however, if the College made it its policy to dictate to students what they can and cannot do based on whether or not "it's dangerous." Steroids. Cigarettes. Hydrogenated oil. Should these eventually be listed as forbidden by the Honor Code?

If highly competitive schools are more at risk, why not work at making Middlebury less of a pressure-cooker? That students feel so pressured to do well that they are taking body-harming drugs is not a small issue. Perhaps THAT'S the issue we should address. I, as an adolescent, as a young adult, feel that I am perfectly capable of making the decision of whether or not to break federal and state law in order to abuse my body. And even if I weren't, I feel entitled to making a mistake. I do not need the College to be a policing force for yet another personal choice.

Sincerely,
Molley Kaiyoorawongs '09


To the Editor:

I just had to write to say how much I appreciate reading the SexSage article. As a community member, parent of adolescents and family practice physician, I find it refreshing to see someone providing useful and accurate information in such an accessible way. SexSage encourages open and honest communication about sexuality which is the crucial first step toward a fulfilling, fun and safe sexual experience.

Sincerely,
Diana Barnard, M.D.
Weybridge, Vt.