Parents ask for Ritalin -- to boost grades

This is no different than the band parents who get asthma inhalers for their healthy kids to play better. If adults want to use chemicals on themselves, they will eventually suffer the damage they've done to their bodies, but children need guidance. They can barely think of consequences that come several days in the future, so the idea of destroying their bodies is just too far away to even be believable. Doctors should know better than to contribute to reckless drug use.

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Bad. Bad. Bad.

In case some of ya'll didn't know, Ritalin is called "kiddie cocaine." You can crush them up and snort them, same effects as coke and equally addicting. I personally know of adults who have been prescribed ritalin for adult ADHD and ended up in 28 day inpatient rehab programs to treat their addiction.

So, let's give it to our kids?

Even with a legitimate diagnosis of ADHD AND a prescription from a board certfied MD, I question the use of ritalin by anyone. There's a reason why cocaine and heroine are no longer used medically.

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I hope this isn't true. What kind of message are we sending to kids here?

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My son has ADHD and was on Ritalin. I for one took my child off the ritalin because of the dangers of this drug in the long run. Yes, it does help them focus better , but it does not help get better grades. The student still has to work harder and understand the work in order to get the better grades. I now plenty of other children who are on the drug and they are failing. It depends on the student. My son actually does better off than he did on the pills. Don't medicate unless absolutely neccessary medically, not just for better grades. Maybe the parents should help these kids study and maybe they will get better grades.

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i think it is wrong to drug the students im a stundent my self in the 8th grade and i do just fine off the drug it depends on how hard the student works to get their grades not no flippin drugs!!!!
its sending my friends the wrong message and they wil become pill heads because of the stupid things people does.

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High school students want to be on ritalin,because when it comes to ACT/SAT testing they do not have time limits on the tests, Crazy world we live in.

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adhd is a made up illness that exist so parents can use mind control amphetamines like ritalin 2 make there kids obediant zombies.why is "study speed"the only leagally endorced way for kids to get high whats wrong with valium and natural safe weed?valium extracted from valerian,wheat,or potatoes does the opposite of ritalin and helps u think as a person instead of as a conservitive god forbid!

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It is a sad world when a parent, or parents, want to put their child on Ritalin to boost their grades. I am dismayed! It would do more harm than good. To do this sort of thing is to give a child a "crutch" in life instead of standing on their own two feet and earning their own true rewards. Furthermore, Ritalin is an amphetamine drug - the street name is "speed". Even medical researchers have commented that it is not known if Ritalin would create the desire to go on to further drugs. I just can't believe there are some parents who desire to do this. What happened to integrity. What are we teaching the children who some day may become the leaders of our world? Thank you.

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ADHD is not a made up illness. My son has this and it is very real. Taking medicine is not slowing him down a bit, however he can focus all of his energy into doing positive things and helps him make resonable choices. I would never give this drug to a child that medically needs it. The side effects can be horrible. I hope these Dr.'s and parents read the fine print because it is not a bowl of cherries if their child gets hooked and becomes a addict or dies from using this drug.

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ADHD can be debilitating. I know because I have it. People who know nothing about it think it is JUST about jumping around too much. It's not. The jumping around is just one of many manifestations, and ADD exists without hyperactivity anyway. I know, it runs in my family. I have lost money right out of my hand, I've missed planes to the Carribean. ADDers don't just do poorly in school. If they don't get help on many different levels, it can continue into adulthood and make life very difficult. Parents or anyone who abuses these drugs - actually makes light of a serious condition and takes credibility away from all of us.

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Ritalin is not the answer! I had my daughter on it for the 2nd 1/2 of 1st grade and the 1st 1/2 of 2nd grade. And AMAZINGLY she started to perform BETTER AFTER I took her off. Seems it was more her MATURITY than it was ADD. She is an A student now in 3rd grade!

It can subdue them to the point of not being able to perform and is not always the answer "cure"....

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We took my 10 year old daughter off Concerta a month ago so she could get to sleep at night and to school for safety patrol duty on time so she wouldn't get kicked off safety patrol for being late. She went from A/B honor roll to C-F student and got kicked off safety patrol for her grades. We don't like her being medicated and both gave it a really good try to go without meds, but she's been back on meds for 3 days and is back to A's and B's.

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For everyone that says ADHD is not real, I agree. I've been told that I have it and I don't believe that is accurate. Just the other day...hold up...what was I saying? Anyway, my hamster decided to have the procedure, which I still say is a mistake. But, what can you tell them after their mind is made up? I still can't find pineapple Jello - but you do what you can...ya know?

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I wish someone would have given me ritalin. I awoke every single moring as a youngster vowing to not get into trouble. Even though I showed respect for my elders, my hyperactivity would win, and in trouble I would be. Every single day. Let alone not being able to concentrate.

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I can't believe this!!!why in the world would you put your kid on Ritalin just to get better grades, and you an just blame the parents because KIDS NEED GUIDANCE.were and example to the and if we put them on drugs then they probably going to stay on some type of drug when they get older and everytime their kid gets sick their going to put them on a strong drug and it goes on and on...

if my dad had put me on strong doses of mediation and didn't care WHO WOULD I BE TODAY....WOULD I EVEN BE ABLE TO TYPE THIS MESSAGE....THE ANSWER IS NO!!

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I am a teacher and have seen Ritalin work for some kids and not for others. If a child is on any type of medication it must be monitored regularly for effectivenes and certainly not given unless there is a medical need. Additionally, the teacher, student and parents must work together to help the child be successful with or without medication.

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As a high school English teacher, I find it completely reprehensible that parents do this for and to their children. The sad thing is that this whole nation is dummying down their children and it is evident in the classroom. What used to be an average student 10-15 years ago is now hailed as a super genius because their parents believe they are endowed with superior academic gifts, and the curriculum in schools has been so watered down, that a monkey can pass a standardized test. It is crucial as a parent to tell your child they are wonderful; however, sometimes that doesn't translate into the most superior student. Using drugs to enhance abilities is a waste of money and time, when what is really necessary is for parents to spend time reading to and with their children, teaching them to think critically, accept responsibilities and to quit doing everything for them. When we challenge their mental capacities at home, it will translate into successful students. This article sickens me as do the parents who will stop at nothing to artifically enhance academic achievement.

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I agree with Sue. My son was on Ritalin and I, too, took my child off of it after extensive research on the long term affects of this medication (of which the doctors neglect to tell you). The parents of these children who are taking these meds, and obviously don't need it, should be held accountable. All it takes is serious study time. If the parents have to jump in and help them study, then so be it. Sad to say, but this is what this world is coming to, less and less parental involvement. I guess there are people out there who take advantage just to get their child "ahead", no matter the consequences. ~VERY SAD!~

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I was diagnosed with ADD when I was younger, but my parents decided against giving me rhitalin. I am now a high school senior with over a 4.0 GPA. It takes work not drugs.

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Medicine can be helpful, especially when all other methods have tried and failed. It should be used a last resort only, and by a well-experienced psychiatrist. Don't bother with a pediatrician. The last pediatrician wanted to start at 20 mg, I refused and I pushed for the lowest dosage which is 2.5 mg. She convinced me to start at 10mg. It was way too strong. I dumped her and went to a great psychiatrist, who gave even a lower dose, 1.25mg. His specialty is ADD. It is true the child still need to work harder. The medication only helps them focus. It doesn't make them smart.

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