Strong evidence indicates that the epidemic of Attention Deficit Disorder affecting mostly white, middle class boys is to a large extent man-made, one result of a long-term, unpublicized financial relationship between the company that makes the most widely known A.D.D. medication and the nation's largest "A.D.D. Support Group." That case is made in our documentary, "A.D.D.-A Dubious Diagnosis?"

No question that A.D.D. is spreading, along with the use of powerful psychostimulants. The number of children being medicated-now an estimated 2,000,000-seems to be doubling every two years.

In preparing our documentary, we heard time and again that Ritalin is "all over the schools." Recovering drug addicts told us that Ritalin was becoming what's called a "gateway drug," the first drug a child tries. And addicts told us that some teenagers snort Ritalin for a quick, cheap (but dangerous) high.

Quick? Yes, because Ritalin is a stimulant.
Cheap? Yes, because parents pay the bill.
Dangerous? Yes, powerful enough to kill.

The Federal Drug Enforcement Administration reports that a Virginia teenager died from snorting Ritalin. We hope our documentary and this guide will help parents and educators find alternatives to unnecessary labels and powerful drugs-like smaller classes, more interesting curricula, and more personal attention at home and in school.

RELATED PROGRAM:
Learning Differences Among the "Learning Disabled"
with Mel Levine (radio)

Original Airdate: October, 1995