cannabisnews.com: 'Frontline' Takes Look at Ritalin Debate 'Frontline' Takes Look at Ritalin Debate Posted by FoM on April 10, 2001 at 08:00:41 PT By John Carman, Chronicle TV Columnist Source: San Francisco Chronicle An estimated 6 million schoolchildren in the United States take Ritalin or other prescribed stimulants for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). That's two or three kids in every classroom, on average, a figure so alarming that it might erase attention deficits among concerned adults. Critics say the children are being medicated for a fuzzy ailment that could more accurately be called PIBD -- pain in the butt disorder. In other words, give them meds to keep them calm and compliant. It's a heat-generating topic. PBS' "Frontline" wades in tonight, cautiously. A "Frontline" installment called "Medicating Kids" is unlikely to satisfy either side in the debate over psychoactive drugs. "Frontline" focuses on four Denver-area kids with a history of fidgeting, impulsiveness, disruptive behavior and, in one case, severe depression and attempted suicide. Understandably, they all also have a history of concerned parents. But the similarities end quickly, along with the chance for easy conclusions. Two of the four -- Noelle Demo, 13, and the depressive Alex McCarty, 12 -- appear to have benefited from the drug Adderall. Their concentration is sharper, their conduct better and their grades higher. "We saw results," Alex's father says. "I don't think those results are achievable by other means." A third, Robin Day, 16, began taking Ritalin in the fourth grade, then tried other medicines in varying dosages. At one point, his mother had to go to court to force her reluctant son to take his prescribed drugs. Nothing helped, unless it's the marijuana he favors instead. The fourth kid is a 3-year-old, Nicolas DuPerret. When he started preschool, his teacher found him "immature" -- imagine that -- and a psychiatrist suggested medication. Nicolas' parents are still resisting. Seeing him on the program indicates a strong case of PIBD, at least. "Frontline" went to Denver because the Colorado State Board of Education voted a few years ago to stop schools from pressuring parents to drug their children. At the hearings, several of the witnesses were from an anti- medication group founded by the Church of Scientology. On the other hand, some psychiatrists who have lobbied in favor of prescribing behavior-modifying drugs for children are in the pay of pharmaceutical companies that make the drugs. Whatever they're doing must be working; prescriptions have skyrocketed in the past decade. "Frontline" is disappointingly brief on the politics and marketing of Ritalin and the rest. But then, the cozy relationships between doctors and drug companies is a ripe topic for another program. The documentary is also frustratingly skimpy on the causes of ADHD and on why these prescription drugs seem to help many of the children. Skimpy by necessity. No one knows exactly. It's in the brain, and scientifically, we know more about armpits than brains. Frontline: Medicating Kids: PBS public affairs documentary at 10 tonight on Channel 9. Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)Author: John Carman, Chronicle TV ColumnistPublished: Tuesday, April 10, 2001 Copyright: 2001 San Francisco ChronicleContact: letters sfchronicle.comWebsite: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/Related Article & Web Site:Frontline: Medicating Kids http://pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/medicating/On Ritalin, In Need of A Third Opinion http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9310.shtml END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by weed for kids on April 11, 2001 at 11:57:25 PT agreed yes, anyone who gives a kid pills is obviously an idiot, and a kid would be way better off smoking a joint.but what can we expect from a half ass backwards society that gives their kids poison instead of a nature miracle herb? [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Rambler on April 11, 2001 at 06:07:17 PT Good drugs,Bad drugs After watching this show,I still believe that these "disorders",are blownway out of proportion,and are nebulous in their diagnosis.Any kid who is having problems growing up,would be helped by a wide arrayof substances.I'll bet Valium,(diazapam),would be equally effective in manyof these disordered kids.Anyone who's going through stressful times can be helped with a numbing of the mind.The process of growing up is supposed to be akward and stressful in some ways.It builds character.I think it's a normal part of growing up and adjusting to a strange new world.Perhaps these "disorders"are more common nowdays,due to the weirdness and stress of the last couple of decades.Todays kids are subjectedto a bizarre agenda of DARE programs,natziesque searches,etc.Growing up is wayless normal than it used to be.The raw,brutal and complex realities of todaysworld,are availiable to kids much earlier than previous generations. I know it will seem shocking to some people,when I say that I would give my kidMarijuana,before I would give him Ritalin.Why would this be so shocking?Marijuanais a natural organic substance,as opposed to Ritalin being a synthetic chemicalcocktail of unknown origin.This is what I find somewhat absurd about these kiddiedowners.Marijuana is portrayed as a dreadful,evil drug to kids,yet at the same time,pharmaceuticals like Ritalin are prescribed for kids with minimal scrutiny,for awide range of "symptoms",and no one cares. I had a terrible time in school.I'm glad that Ritalin type drugs were out of the questionwhen I was growing up because I would have probably been forced to take it,and Ithink it would have altered and dullened my intellect far more than any marijuana could.I say,If your kids out of hand,give him some nice marijuana brownies.It's way morenatural than Ritalin,and far safer,and time tested.Perhaps it will be revealed that the main ingredient for making Ritalin is Marijuana!Wouldnt that be astounding? [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by THE GENIUS on April 10, 2001 at 19:11:15 PT HIGH GRADES......A BENEFIT?! I WANTED TO ADD THAT I DONT BELIEVE IN SCHOOL, AND IT'S A SCAM, AND GETTING HIGH GRADES IS NOT A BENEFIT OF ANY KIND.GETTING LOW GRADES SO YOU GET KICKED OUT OF SCHOOL WOULD BE GREAT, HOWEVER.ANTI-SCHOOL!JUST SAY NO TO SCHOOL!!THANK YOU. 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