Miranda 1Doraliz MirandaSpeech 1Professor Cliff RuthNovember 1, 2010Informative Speech Technical OutlineStudy DrugsI. IntroductionA. Attention Getter: "I reached in my bag, grabbed an Adderall, and went to the bathroom. I took the pill, smashed it on the bathroom sink and snorted it.I went back to my class and zipped through the restof my exam, and it made all the difference." This student account was found in a 2005 article published by Baylor University on the rising use of “study drugs.”B. Thesis: Many of you may be unfamiliar with such a topic, so today I will cover the mysterious world of study drugs and the hidden dangers associated with them.C. Fairhearing: Most of us are here because we all want to transfer to the best school as possible. And we will do whatever it takes. But drugs? Some of you might be tempted, and I’m here to present the facts. I came from a highly competitive district and saw many students resort to such measures. So I’veseen the good, but I’ve also seen the bad.D. Overview: I will now proceed to define what a study drug is, the various types, why people use them, and what the dangers are.II. Body:A. Main Point: First off, I’d like to define a study drug.1. Sub Point: Duke University’s pharmacology professor Cynthia Kuhndescribes study drugs as informally termed- medical grade stimulantsthat affect the brain’s “reward center” (Kuhn, 136).a. Sub-Sub point: Specifically, the 2008 edition of Prescription Drug Addiction by Rod Calvin, defines these compounds as “drugsthat stimulate the central nervous system, increase mental alertness[and] decrease fatigue…” (Colvin, 13).i. Sub3 point: In other words, they chemically affect the brain and increase its ability to focus.Testimony:Emphasis on “and it made all the difference”Sound inquisitive when saying:“But drugs?”Statement of Fact:Explanation:Miranda 2Transition: So, we just reviewed a simplified definition of what a study drug is, and I will now cover what types there are.B. Main Point: There are 2 main types of study drugs that I will cover today, amphetamine grade and methylphenidate. 1. Sub Point: Amphetamine is the first type, and it is the chemical compound found in the prescription medication “Adderall”a. Sub-Sub point: Adderall is typically prescribed to children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD for short.i. Sub3 point: But unlike the calming effects the medication produces in children, adults experience higher energy and focus, as stated in Rod Calvin’s book Prescription Drug Addiction. 2. Sub Point: Methylphenidate is the next type of drug, marketed under the name Ritalin. a. Sub-Sub point: It is similar to Adderall, for it is also a stimulant compound that affects the motor activity of the central nervous system.Transition: So those are the most common types of study drugs, and now to explore why non ADHD people take them in C. Main Point: Simply, people take them to improve focus, energy & gain an edge against their academic competition. I remember hearing 2 kids in my Advanced Placement chemistry class talk about their study drug-fueled cramming sessions. “When was the last time you slept?” “Two days ago…” “And you’ve been up all this time studying?” “Yeah.” 1. Sub Point: Baylor University does a nice job of summing up student motives in its 2005 article Study Drugs Still Popular despite HealthRisks.a. Sub-Sub point: According to the article, students use such drugs “to retain energy for rigorous study periods over several hours, sometimes extending overnight.”i. Sub3 point: Simply, students take these pills to combat their own procrastination and gain an extra edge over those who are too tired or too distracted to study or work. ii. Sub3 point: Schools that are highly competitive and cutthroat have rampant rates of study drug use because students feel the pressure to maintain high academic standing. 2. Sub Point: Even here at RCC I’ve heard talk of the tempting nature of study drugs. ContrastEmphasis on “But unlike…”Anecdote:Change voice to show the conversation between the 2 studentsSHOW SLIDE-end slideSound semi-sarcastic and endearing when saying “I won’t give any names….”Statistics/ SHOW SLIDEConvey astonishment when saying “15%...”-end slideMiranda 3a. Sub-Sub point: I won’t give any names because I don’t want to ruin any academic careers, but students in their final year who are desperately trying to make grades are usually susceptible to such influences.i. Sub3 point: To put things into perspective, recent studies published in Professor Kuhn’s Buzzed indicate that “15% of college students have used prescription stimulants as study aides…” (Kuhn, 227).Transition: So I just covered why student resort to such measures, but I must also inform you of the not so pleasant side effects.D. Main Point: To begin with, a drug is a drug, and it has the potential to be harmful and addictive. 1. Sub Point: Various studies prove that stimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidates cause physical problems. a. Sub-Sub point: Rod Colin of Prescription Drug Addiction writesthat high doses of stimulants cause irregular heartbeats and high blood pressure, which typically result in heart failure (Colvin, 14).i. Sub3 point: Furthermore, those who take stimulants without prescriptions usually do not know much about dosages, so they mistakenly take more than they are supposed to.2. Sub Point: Also, withdrawal symptoms have been noted in individuals who no longer get the stimulation they are used to.a. Sub-Sub point: Rod Colin also states that “depression, fatigue, loss of interest in life, loss of appetite, suicidal thoughts, and delusions are part of stimulant withdrawal” (Colvin, 14).Transition: All in all, there are ill side effects to taking drugs, not that this should come as a sharp surprise to anybody.III. Conclusion: A. Review: In review, we learned what study drugs are, the types there are, and the pros and cons behind them. They may help you cram for that test you didn’t study for because you spent too much time on Facebook, but they also pose a great risk to your health. B. Finality: Just like cocaine, crack, and meth, study drugs like Ritalin and Adderall can be addictive, as stated by Duke University’s pharmacology Professor Cynthia Kuhn. So they can make you smarter, but they can also kill. -end slideStatement of Fact:Specific Instance:Enunciate