Posted on 09/18/2005 8:43:09 PM PDT by Love_For_Freedom
The number of children being prescribed drugs for so-called behavioural disorders has soared to a record high, causing alarm that children are being unnecessarily "drugged into submission".
Prescriptions of Methylphenidate - most commonly sold as Ritalin - rose to 359,100 last year, a rise of 344,400 since 1995. Figures from the Prescriptions Pricing Authority reveal that there has been a 180-fold increase in prescriptions since 1991 when only 2,000 were issued in England.
The growing use of Ritalin - an amphetamine-based stimulant which improves concentration and is nicknamed the "chemical cosh" because of its calming effects - has alarmed critics. It is almost entirely prescribed to children under 16 in this country. Controversially, it has been estimated that one in 20 children suffers behavioural disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD, for which Ritalin is prescribed.
But critics of the drug say that doctors give it to children who are merely displaying normal emotional changes experienced during childhood. Campaigners believe that the increasing use of Ritalin follows the trend in America where it has been prescribed to children as young as 15 months.
Last night, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, an organisation that campaigns against psychiatric violations of human rights, condemned the increasing prescription of drugs for children. "Too many psychiatrists are being irresponsible in prescribing mood-altering drugs which are pharmacologically similar to cocaine, and then claiming they have 'cured' children of their 'condition'," said a spokesman.
"Some children may be a little boisterous but psychiatry's fixation on labelling such difficulties and prescribing medication is nothing more than pseudo science. Children are being drugged into submission."
Actually, stunted growth is a side effect that is common in the stimulant ADHD medications. The opposite of what you said is true.
>>>The opposite of what you said is true.
How is that the opposite of what I said?
Keeping kids on Ritalin doesn't change the stunted growth. If you take a stimulant ADHD medication, you are more likely to have stunted growth. Continued use doesn't negate this side effect.
"As far as I am concerned no teacher has the right/responsibility to diagnose children with mental disorders."
My brother's girlfriend is an elementary ed. teacher.
She said (and I quote), "I can be around a child for 5 minutes and tell if they need to be on Ritalin".
Neither one of us is disputing the fact that Ritalin stunts growth. What I'm saying is consistant dosing (NOT varying dosage) through puberty gives the hormones the ability to adapt to the Ritalin and continue growth. I'm still at a loss as to what is the opposite of what I stated.
The teachers prefer the sound of silence in the classroom rather then letting two or three boys control the classroom with their uninhibited behavior. Ritalin has been a God send to my daughter and she doesn't even take it.
I'm glad to hear that. My sister takes a form of Ritalin and feels it's changed her life.
My husband has been a teacher for 35 years, beloved by his students because he knows how to make lessons exciting (in a good way).
The kids are interested in what he teaches and his classes are not silent.
He thinks very little learning takes place in a perpetually silent science class and he has nothing against Ritalin.
He does have strong negative feelings regarding administrators who think silence is more important than learning.
I think recess, several times a day is very important. We had usually two recesses and had afterlunch playtime in my grade school, too. Even in winter, in Chicagoland, we went outside after lunch (and played on the snow mounds).
I thought you were saying that keeping kids on Ritalin or another stimulant ADHD medication would keep them from having stunted growth.
Nevermind.
Your post is right on as far as I'm concerned and as far as the war against boys is concerned it is flagrant and flaunted daily in the faces of men who are paying attention.....meaning those of us who are much concerned about the future of our children vs. those consumed with their golf game, fantasy football, metrosexualism, etc.
One only has to pay just a little attention to the commercials, TV and movies to see very clearly where the war is being subtly waged by those see men as goofy, dumpy, clueless, beer swilling dolts. Clearly, this is the case for a small % of men whereas most of us are strong, comitted, sensible, hardworking adults who exhibit the traits that should be transmitted to our youth.
This new paradigm has been carefully crafted from behind the scenes by the usual array of feminists, gay activists, anti-American liberals/socialists/communists who see the best to destroy this country is from within and they've done a very good job of attacking our youth with a plethora of messages designed to cause confusion in the areas of manliness, sexuality, leadership roles in the family and business world, etc.
The result has been that many young men are growing up either totally clueless, very unsure of themselves and generally living day to day with no real direction to their lives and it's a tragedy. It's tragedy in the sense that there are real questions as to what kind of husbands, fathers and co-workers they will become as time goes on. Mothers should be alarmed as to what kind of man their daughters will marry someday.....someone strong, hardworking and responsible or clueless, effiminate, or disengaged.
I say it's way past time to put this crap to a stop and I'm more than willing to do what it takes to save future generations of young men.
Wow, that is terrible. I have a couple relatives who have been on it since early teens... It would be pulled of the market if it was cold medicine. WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN!!!???
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