JEDDAH, 23 January 2006 — Taking stimulants such as Captagon during the run-up to final exams is becoming a habit for some students who are seeking higher grades. However, they are paying with their health in order to stay alert during their studying time, according to experts.
Even though these “energy pills” are only prescribed by doctors for certain conditions in Saudi Arabia, they can be found on some Saudi students’ desks, next to coffee, tea and other caffeinated drinks. Students that use the drug are endowed with a feeling of high energy that keeps them up for many hours, but their bodies are adversely affected.
“Organizing study and sleep time is better than staying up late studying and losing energy more than the body can handle,” said Dr. Muhammad Ayman Erksousi, head of psychiatry department at Jeddah’s Al-Amal Hospital. “Each student has his own ability for studying and should not overload it. Those who take these pills are not aware how much trouble they are getting into.”
The doctor also noted that these pills are not for legal sale in pharmacies, but they are distributed illegally. In Saudi Arabia, doctors give Captagon, the commercial name for the drug fenethylline, to mentally disabled patients, specifically those with attention deficit disorder.
Captagon abusers will go through an endless whirl of adverse side-effects during their dependence.
“Users of these pills usually experience lack of appetite, insomnia, nightmares, hallucinations, fast heartbeats. Their attitude is also changed as the addict becomes paranoid, warm-blooded, and may indulge in criminal conduct,” he said.
Dr. Erksousi explained that people react differently to these pills. Some get all the side-effects from the first time; others start feeling the effects only after repeated usage.
Dr. Erksousi explained that athletes also use these pills as a performance enhancer.
“Not only do students depend on these pills, but also athletes. A major reason for that is a lack of awareness to the danger of the drug. Another reason is the misconception that makes them think that, through these pills, they can be more energetic and achieve better.”
He also added that after stopping taking this drug, abusers’ appetites become unbalanced, and that can lead to obesity. They can also suffer from aberration.
“Addiction to Captagon has three levels of danger. Patients in the first and second levels can be treated; however, it is more difficult for the third level patients to be treated, since their brain cells become damaged and cannot be re-generated,” he added.
Saudi universities have announced that next year they will implement tougher policies in pre-university health examinations in order to check students for signs of drug abuse.
