It seems like this is the first thing people turn to when facing a problem involving children. Attitudes, learning problems, something as simple asa parent always wanting a cool calm child...in some cases, it's necessary, yes...but in far too many a kid is put on a dosage way too big and brainwashed into thinking he/she needs it and coming to depend on it physically.
When my brother (now 26) was in 1st grade, his teachers called him slow...told him he'd never amount to anything, and wanted, of course, to put him on ritalin. All through grade school, middle school, and most of high school, his grades were poor at best. Now, as mentioned, he's 26....he got straight A's through college, and is making more than some of those teachers combined will in a lifetime.
Last summer I attended a summer camp...a girl in my cabin had sich high dosages of Ritalin, she constantly looked drugged, bags under her eyes, cloudy eyes, she was always tired and had no energy, and personality wise, she was totally drained of her true self. I'd asked her why she was on it, she said she wasn't quite sure, except her parents couldn't handle her. She was one of the most docile human's I've met.
One of my closest guy friends, Tony, was on Ritalin of various dosages for a few years. I also knew him when he was off of it....not a single difference, and when he was on it, it never helped his delinquency problem. He also sold his pills for a time to others as a Speed replacement.
I've had my own experiences with this drug, as well. (Never taking it...) When I was in shelter, social workers tried to come up with every excuse to put me on it. Luckily, I was able to prove them wrong on most points and the few supporters I DID have kept me off of it...
Hopefully over the summer I'll be able to do some research, talk to people (friends on it, abusers, shrinks, doctors...), and get my opinion out on this.
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