Ritalin Facts

Ø             Experts believe that between 4 and 6 million children are on Ritalin.

Ø             ADHD is the #1 childhood psychiatric disorder.

Ø             Ritalin is a Schedule II controlled substance, in the same category as cocaine, methadone, and methamphetamine (speed).

Ø             The United States consumes five times the amount of Ritalin than the rest of the world combined.

Ø             The United Nations International Narcotics Board has twice voiced warnings about the U.S. dependence on Ritalin.

Ø             If a child takes Ritalin after the age of 12, he or she is not eligible for military service.

Ø             Ritalin is one of the fastest growing high school and college students' drug of choice."  They crush it and either snort it or inject it to get high.  They reportedly get the same rush as with cocaine, at a cheaper price.

Ø             The use of Ritalin has quadrupled in the last decade.

Ø             Ritalin use in children age 2 to 4 doubled between 1991 and 1995.

Ø             Effects of Ritalin have never been studied on children under 6 years old, and its use is not recommended in the Physician's Desk Reference.

Ø             The profit from sales of Ritalin and other psychotropic drugs exceeds 1.5 billion dollars per year.

Ø             Ritalin can cause permanent neurological tics including Tourette's syndrome.

Ø             Ritalin can stunt growth in a child.

Ø             Ciba, the manufacturer of Ritalin, spends millions of dollars selling the idea of Ritalin use to C.H.A.D.D. (a parents' group for children with ADD/HD) doctors and organized psychiatry.

Ø             Ritalin does not address the cause of ADD/HD.

© 2001 Jim Morano, Doctor of Chiropractic   Austin, TX  • (512) 481-0300 • drjim@bigriverchiropractic.com