Isn't it amazing that society frequently puts children on methamphetamines like Ritalin!?
365234
I am  a 32 year old woman, I was recently diagnosed with adult add, I tried those drugs and had to stop. they are the same as speed. not good. the side effects are terrible and i went into severe depression when i stopped.(withdraw). I cannot believe parents would actually give their children speed intentionally
447161
I agree with milwoodsgal.  And, second hand smoke should definately take a backseat to the drugs being used by people and damaging their brains.  Meth cookers cooking with the kids in the house is also a huge concern.
108412
Drugs that kill kids..K
965890
Why do adults become addicted, or girls?  Similar questions I would have thought.  I guess it happens because substances are available and they have the urge to experiment with them.
297869
I totally resent this question! ADD and ADHD destroys peoples lives! I am a sufferer and without my  medication I would be out of control! My brother has ADHD and because of this he has not a single friend! His life is ruined! without his medicane he would be destoroyed! And he's only 9! I'm only 13 too for petes sake!  And don't call it speed! These medicanes are legal cause people like you ruin it by taking it for your own amusement! Beside you know perfectly well why Marijuana isn't legal! My Dad smokes and its worst enough! Would you like to lose someone to something 50 billions times worser than that? This question upsets me very much! Your making a resourcfull helpfull medicane into an amusing drug that could be taken away to people who really need it!
874031
It's possible. The medical literature lists the mechanism of action for Ritalin to be unknown. So it they don't fully know how it works, they can't possibly know what the side effects could be.\n\nThe drug companies and our medical system overall are corrupted by greed. Drugs are huge business and doctors have been indoctrinated in school to rely on them when they should really be a last resort.\n\nHave trouble concentrating? Cut out sugar, limit MTV and video games, drink plenty of water, eat a balanced diet and don't skip meals, get daily exercise and most of all, get 8 hours sleep. These steps would wipe out the market for Ritalin... not to mention probably 90% of the other drugs out there.
49903
Yes.  And I am not surprised that she has "tried" drugs.  That's a lot of money and attention for a19 year old...not many could handle the pressure.
570838
You can't buy it over the counter dork!  It's a prescription drug.  You can order it online from internet pharmacies though.  \n\nAmphetamines are given to children as young as 4 in the US.  It's a real pity.  There are literally millions of kids doped up these days.  ADHD drugs (Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta...) and Diet pills, (phentermine) are the most commonly found sources.
101195
I have also been on Ritalin.  Its about 18 years now.  \n\nDO NOT TAKE IT IF YOU ARE PREGNANT. I have already discussed this with my doctor and you should not take it.\n\nIt may not cause birth defects but it can do other bad things.
707624
Oh My God how absolutely discusting to serve any level of alcohol to a child of that age. Do we not have enough alcoholics in this world without training our children to become one?? It is absolutely ridiculous that anyone would actually agree to doing a trial of this. What happened to good old fashioned water or milk?? These are both very healthy alternatives to sugary drinks such as cola and do not mean putting drugs( because thats what alcohol is, a drug) into a childs system.
1034864
First I would ask how old the child is.  As a teacher I can tell you that ritalin is one of the most overprescribed drugs in the U.S.  People have forgotten that little children are naturally hyper.  If the child does not chemically need ritalin, it will make him more hyper.  If he does, you can expect him to be kind of blah, as ritalin is a stabalizer.  Although I am not a doctor, unless the child is bouncing off the walls uncontrollably, and can't pay attention for more than a few seconds, I do not recommend drugging him.  I have had many students who were presribed these drugs and only two or three that I felt really needed them.  Check out these websites to learn a little more.\nhttp://www.ncpamd.com/Stimulant_Side_Effects.htm\nhttp://www.breggin.com/ritalin.html\nhttp://www.prozactruth.com/ritalineffects.htm\nhttp://www.drugs.com/Ritalin/index.html\nI hope this helps provide your friend the answers he or she is looking for.
1058957
I'm agianst telling about users!  MOSTLY they are only harming themselves, and if they are overcoming their addiction the stigma is only harmful.\n\nDealers and manufacturers, on the other hand are scum!  The chemicals emitted in the production of Meth are not only explosive, they are also extreemly hazardus to human health.  And by producing or pushing this poison in neighborhoods, they are destroying families!!
1039973
Methamphetamines are not controlled by the FDA anyone with a recipe can make meth.  Meth is way more potent than Ritalin.
1139236
If that is true then I have to blame myself for my daughter dying of a cocaine overdose and I do look back and see how I could have been a better parent.I think it is some genetics and some environmental.We do feel quilt when our children have problems but I guess none of us are perfect.
256587
Please do not listen to martinamagrace.   ADD/ADHD is not an imaginary disorder.\n\nyes there are side effects to medication.  the effects on people are different as no one is the same. \n\n\nThe syndrome Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) defies a concrete definition. There are no blood tests, brain scans, or psychological tests that definitively diagnose it.  Not all Attention Deficit Disorders display the same exact symptoms.  There are many combinations of cognitive and behavioral problems that may exist.  Symptoms of this syndrome may include: Poor impulse control and internal self-monitoring, attention inconsistencies, chronic procrastination, the need for instant gratification, poor organizational skills, hyperactivity and hypoactivity, poor peer relationships, poor concept of time, and the need for highly stimulating activities.\n\nEven though the syndrome Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) defies a concrete definition, children should not be left to flounder with their difficulties when there are treatments available that will help.  Failure to treat ADHD carries significant risks whose lifelong consequences are well known: Failure to get an education, poor self esteem, substance abuse, and antisocial behaviors that become habitual and can contribute to failure at life. \n\n ADD/ADHD is not an imaginary disorder.  It is a chronic developmental disorder which is genetically based.  It is not a learning disability, but can co?exist with learning disabilities in approximately 25 to 33 percent of those diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.  There are studies that have found that stimulants are the single most effective way to treat this disorder.\n\n People are understandably squeamish about ADD/ADHD and medicating children who are otherwise healthy.  When the public deals with issues concerning children, they don’t want to believe that ADD/ADHD is a real problem that requires medication because it is often treated with Ritalin which is a controlled substance.  Unfortunately, there is no type of medication that will cure ADD/ADHD.  The use of medication to treat it, however,  is very controversial.  \n\nPeople seem to be worried that children will abuse the medication or that the drug will make them lethargic which is a major misconception about Ritalin.  Ritalin is stimulant which increases brain activity, enabling those with ADD/ADHD to control impulsively, regulate behavior, screen out extraneous stimuli, and increase attention span.  This may appear to calm the ADD/ADHD person while over?stimulating those who do not have this disorder.  Most people who need medication, that is with abnormal brain function, do not abuse it; however, the potential for abuse is always there.  \n\nCollege students cramming for an exam and professionals preparing for a presentation are turning to Ritalin.  They obtain Ritalin by telling doctors that they are having problems paying attention.  This kind of abuse is dangerous.  Ritalin affects a normal brain differently, and it can make you sick.  For the person with normal brain function, there are many potential side effects including elevated blood pressure and heart rate, nausea, agitation, headaches, and insomnia.\n\nAnyone who watches the news knows that more and more people are being treated with Ritalin and other stimulants, and the treatment rates vary widely from one community to the next.  Many people come to the conclusion that doctors are simply drugging healthy children into submission.  Skepticism is justified.  Consumers can be led to think they’re sick when they are not.  Ads may encourage them to blame poor discipline or lack of accomplishment on a disease, perhaps even consider getting disability compensation.\n\nThough most research supports the belief that ADD/ADHD is a brain-based disorder, more specific and detailed criteria needs to be established to diagnose someone with this dis
947768
some people feel they can have more fun when using drugs. i used to do them and it was a lot of fun. but it was a growing up thing. and i know now that i like my life better drug free. some people learn and some people don't.
1102475
I dont believe so. Back when I was a child, we got the belt for doing something wrong. As years passed child abuse became a big issue. Laws were enacted to protect children from abuse but in reality the real child abusers still exist! We have now created a generation of unruly, out of control children. Some of the atrocities such as Columbine, teen suicide, parents murdered by their children,  ETC are a direct reflection on this! I watch this show on television where people bring someone in to teach them how to raise their children. Makes me laugh!!! The "spare the rod, spoil the child" philosophy isnt working people!!! I am not saying you should beat your child but I DO know that when your 3 or 4 year old child has done something wrong the old "drop the drawers and givem one good swat on the bare butt" philosophy worked for me.  I think I have only used this method twice but I have never had a problem with my child not respecting me. From that point on my son and I have had excellent verbal communications. I have never layed laws down and when he had questions he wasnt afraid to ask. My son is now 29 years old, has never done drugs, and has accompished much in his life. I am VERY PROUD of him! I remember when came home from school one day and asked if he should smoke marijuana because his friends wanted him to. I told him it was his choice but he had two avenues to take. I told him he could either grow up to be a leader or a follower. I also told him to think about whether he thought this person was his true friend. My son made his own mind up on the matter and chose wisely.