Cambridge Profs call for drug tests before exams

Professors at the University of Cambridge have warned that steps may be taken in future to dope test students before they sit exams. This comes as the use of performance enhancing drugs, particularly in ‘competitive circumstances,’ has increased.

Don’t worry, this does not mean Prop-Plus or Red Bull. The most common drugs used in this circumstance are Modafinil, which is primarily used to treat patients with Sleep Apnea and helps increase alertness, and Methylpheridate, commonly known as Ritalin. This is traditionally used to treat people with ADHD and is known to improve short-term memory and concentration.

A survey conducted in Cambridge found that 10% of students admitted to using these psychostimulant drugs during studies and examination periods.

Professor Barbara Sahakian of the Cambridge Psychiatry Department has said that professors are being made increasingly aware of the use of performance enhancing drugs among their students, as other students complain of cheating and the increasing pressure to take them too.

Enhancement technologies can benefit society, for instance in treating people who suffer from Sleep Apnea or ADHD. However, the use of these technologies during academically competitive circumstances has raised certain ethical and political questions among Professors.

Professor Genevra Richardson of Kings College London (Chair of the above report) states that there has been an increased use of performance enhancers among students and acknowledges that they, ‘could influence your ability to perform tasks,’ increasing motivation and enabling you to work more effectively in extreme conditions or conditions of high pressure.

But, is it realistic to attempt to screen students for performance enhancing drugs before they sit exams? The Tab wants to hear from you!