One thing that I've always felt is that the Singapore education system puts way too much pressure on youths but yet, somehow, they do not provide sufficient care for students with issues, whether it's academic stress, other issues, etc. Not everybody can this pressure, which results in a high chance of them turning to harmful coping mechanisms, such as taking substances. Aside from that, I also wanted to bring light to another, rather niche, but possible substance - a seemingly innocent medication called concerta, taken to treat ADHD. I want to shine light on one shouldn't just treat this medication as a joke, and how it could result in damage to one if they're neurotypical, or even a dosage that's too large could harm neurodivergent people.

This concept is inspired by my own experience with medication - specifically concerta, back in secondary school during my o-level year. I was experimenting around with medications to try and 'fix' my attention span due to me having ADHD because i was desperate to do well for my o-levels. while taking these medications, I experimented around with them a lot, and I experienced a lot of different symptoms during that period - I was in a constant state of agitation, and I had episodes of mania as well as depressive episodes, etc, however, my grades also did improve, which led me to continue taking these medications because i thought they were helping me. But as time progressed and my body got used to the medication, my attention span drastically became worse, and my grades almost plummeted too. The worst incident for me was when I ended up accidentally overdosing on my medications one night - due to me being unable to focus and forgetting that I had already taken my medication, i took a double dosage, resulting in me being so physically fatigued i couldn't even stand up and walk, but at the same time it was combined with not only a throbbing headache, but the feeling of my heart palpitating so quickly it felt like it was a ticking time bomb - ready to explode anytime. I decided to put my own twist on this experience, incorporating factors of something I've seen some neurodivergent people do - selling their medications like concerta or ritalin to kids who think that taking drugs are cool.

- P