Students take to anti-sleep pills in exam season

Lucknow, Feb 18 (IANS) – Prajakta Swarup, a Class 10 student, recently underwent a major brain surgery for a clot that led to swelling of nerves, and the cause was linked to her use of anti-sleep pills during exam preparation.

The 10th grader had been staying up all night studying for her board examinations, and her parents had been supplying her with cups of coffee to help her stay awake. However, she collapsed one evening and was rushed to the hospital, where a bottle of pills was found in her drawer. After turning over the pills to the doctor, her parents were shocked to learn that Prajakta had been taking anti-sleep medication.

According to leading neurosurgeon Dr. Sharad Srivastava, an increasing number of students are taking these anti-sleep pills to stay awake during exams, which is a dangerous trend. These drugs, smuggled in from countries like Bangkok, can have dangerous side effects, particularly when combined with an excessive intake of caffeine, such as multiple cups of coffee.

The drugs, sold under names like ‘chuniya’ and ‘meethi,’ are variants of Modafinil, which is said to improve memory and cognitive function. Additionally, a chemist noted that the sale of anti-sleep pills and memory enhancers has increased over the past month, and customers are willing to pay any amount for these drugs.

However, Dr. R K Saxena, a well-known psychiatrist, attributed the growing trend of students using anti-sleep pills during examinations to the mounting stress and peer pressure to achieve high scores for college admissions. He also emphasized the lack of parental guidance and the unrealistic academic expectations placed on students.

The concerning issue has been further exacerbated by a revelation from a senior police official, who disclosed that terrorists are using anti-sleep drugs to stay awake during combat. This revelation has raised questions about the legality of over-the-counter sales of these drugs, and highlights the need for increased awareness and regulation.

Overall, the increased use of anti-sleep pills by students during exam season is a cause for concern, and it is imperative for parents, educators, and authorities to take proactive measures to address this dangerous trend.