[WoodstockCat]

ritalin is a cocaine derivitive..if a doctor ever tried to perscribe it for either one of my kids I'd walk out of their office.

[beezdotcom]

ritalin is a cocaine derivitive

Technically, no. It was derived from dexedrine. Both ritalin and dexedrine are completely synthetic, although they can also indirectly come from chemical reductions of ephedrine, which comes from the ephedra plant. Cocaine is naturally occurring, and comes from the coca plant.

Ritalin and cocaine both work to increase dopamine levels in the brain, although ritalin works much more slowly. That's why, in regular pill form, it tends not to be nearly as addicting (though there are exceptions, and when crushed/sniffed it poses more of an addiction problem).

Nonetheless, I agree with your sentiments - the overwhelmingly vast majority of kids need nothing like ritalin. It's like using a bazooka for home perimeter defense.