Ritalin is safe - and it works

The Detroit News ^ | Thursday, December 12, 2002 | Detroit News staff and wire reports

[Flashlight]

NORTHVILLE -- For more than a generation, we've been "drugging" our unruly children to calm them down. And in doing so, we have risked damaging their young brains and setting them up for long-term drug addiction -- or so we have been warned.

[Flashlight]

This is from today's Detroit News (a conservative paper), front page, above the fold. I don't know anything about this particular study, but I know ADD isn't a myth, and I know Ritalin works and is often the best treatment for it.

[lawdude]

"...and I know Ritalin works and is
often the best treatment for it."

And is common of those committing school killings.

[Chuckster]

Well, it's certainly good to know that the drug peddlers at the AMA have determined that this drug is safe for our kids.

[widowithfoursons]

My youngest son was a prime candidate for Ritalin at 5 yrs old. If he had not been in private school at the time, I'm sure the pressure would have been tremendous to medicate him. He is now a sophmore in college (Physics major), talking about deferential equations like there's no tomorrow.

[hoosierham]

Medication is the answer to all our problems, especially stubborn independence. Why if G. Washington and those other MEN had just been properly medicated they would have been happy with society as it was instead of trying to change it.

Take your pills and everything will be all right. NOT!

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

I had a hyper classmate one time, who's feet went thump-thump-thump like thumper. The teacher would tell him to run around the school every now and then. He would, come back, calmed down. His learning greatly improved. And he was in top shape physically. Today, he'd be doped up. Sorry, but I don't buy this BS. Teachers want children to conform to a cookie press. It's sickening.

[widowithfoursons]

differential equations - sorry

[Aric2000]

Well, If your kid has EVER been on Ritalin, the military does NOT want them.

So, if you NEVER want your kid in the military, then feel free to put him on Ritalin, if you want him to have choice, REFUSE!!

I trust Military expertise in this a lot more then I do a medical organization funded by Drug companies. I have no proof of that last, but it seems to fit together quite well.

[tang-soo]

... and finds that it actually helps brains grow

It works as a floor cleaner AND as a dessert topping. (With apologies to Dan Ackroyd and and Lorainne Neumann.)

[who knows what evil?]

I pray to G-d I am dead before this country gets to where its headed. Medicate your kids, parents...it will make it SO much easier to cope.

[dasboot]

N.I.M.H and "scientific" in the same sentance....(scoff)

My empirical observations over the years lead me to conclude that Ritalin is useless, dangerous, abused, addictive or deadly IN EVERY CASE with which I've had contact. STAY AWAY.....DON"T BE FOOLED. Read the credits on those educational videotapes the school sends home with your kid.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

We had great inventors and innovators at the turn of the 19th-20th century. Education was very primitive back then. I sometimes wonder, if we combined the basic 19th century structure with modern computers and software, along with educational films and programs, what we would get.

[copycat]

Then by all means, put your kids on it. Just don't tell me I need to put MY kids on it...because I won't.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

The military disqualifies ritalin students? Gads...!

[Vinomori]

Because Ritalin acts like speed, it "works" to keep the
young victim "focused" and buzzed and wired...it is dangerous, and it does more harm than good....I have had many experiences of it.....ironically the army used to prescribe it quite liberally. Now they know the harm.

[Charlotte Corday]

Not to mention that taking school-endorsed mind altering drugs for years is a great prep for helping your son resist illegal drug pushers a few years later.

[lelio]

And is common of those committing school killings.
That's like saying people on Prozac kill themselves more often then people not on the drug. The ones on Prozac are already inclined to commit suicide. The drugs are meant to help, but they can't help everyone.
Having said that I'm shocked that 1 out of 8 kids needs this treatment, and the number probably would be higher if everyone had health insurance for sure a thing.

[dasboot]

New Wonder Bread: fortified with vitamins, flouride and Ritalin, to help you kids' brains grow--in twelve important ways!
"OH! Like head foitalizah! Nyuck nyuck."

[Buffalo Bob]

I was the first to label Ritalin for what it really is: Instant Daddy®!

[Oztrich Boy]

"Li'l Lisa's patented animal slurry. It's a high-protein feed for farm animals, insulation for low-income housing, a powerful explosive and a top-notch engine coolant." (pace Monty Burns)