I am very familiar with the drug and with the undisciplined and unscientific dispensation of Ritalin to elementary school children. I fought vigorously, in every instance, the school psychologists' attempts to influence parents to submit their children to the drug with the assurance that it would cure their absolutely normal childish behavior. Unfortunately, I lost some of those battles, both with the psychologists and the parents. But some did listen. It was dispensed as if the children were at a party and the Pinâta were filled with this drug - that's the extent of the precision and the rigor of the scientific method used.
I find it incomprehensible that studies of this sort will be carried out on children. If, as the article states, "They want poor minority kids because their parents are more easily coerced to sign up", then publicity of this sort can only help to inform, but the ultimate responsiblity lies with the school administrators. If they allow it, then it should be the prerogative of the local school boards to dismiss them for gross negligence.
Thank you.