“The social implications of using chemical memory-enhancing drugs in youth and adults are far reaching.” (Philips, 2006, p. 186)

There is no doubt that students in high school today feel immense pressure to perform and succeed. As Philips explains, this pressure may be so great that students turn to drugs to enhance their performance. This is concerning on many levels, two of which I want to mention here.

One, as adolescent brains are constantly developing, any type of drug that impacts brain function is a cause for concern. Second, as Philips explains, not all students will be able to afford to use such drugs, and thus the inequality in schools is further maintained by the use of drugs among more affluent students who arguably already have more access to paths of success in their futures.

I think what Philips helps us to see is that is important to check in with high school students, to talk to them about self care and ways to manage their stress. It makes sense that student would turn to drugs to help their performance if no one has ever talked to them about strategies such as time management, effective ways to study, and how to live a balanced life. Memory-enhacing drugs may seem like an attractive  choice, but I think we need to help students realize that they cannot live the rest of their lives using these drugs. We need to help them now learn to live balanced lives with strategies in their pockets to use when they feel overwhelmed by work and other life pressures.