General Debate Forum - Kiddie Cocaine

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Q: Kiddie Cocaine

asked by: nmangelfire on March 22nd, 2008

New User

JUST LIKE COCAINE

Ritalin is often referred to as "Kiddie Cocaine" for good reason. Long-
term Ritalin effects have been linked to brain development
abnormalities similar to those found with cocaine use.

The Journal of the American Medical Association, one of American's
leading medical journals, published an article entitled "Ritalin Acts
Much Like Cocaine."

An Archives of General Psychiatry report states; "Cocaine has
pharmacological actions that are very similar to those of
methylphenidate (Ritalin), which is now the most commonly prescribed
psychotropic medicine for children in the U.S."

DEA data on methylphenidate and amphetamine for the treatment of ADD
symptoms shows:

* That methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) and amphetamine
(Adderall, Dexedrine) produce effects similar to cocaine in laboratory
animals and in humans.
* In clinical studies, methylphenidate and amphetamine produce
behavioral and psychological effects similar to cocaine.
* In simple terms, this data means that the human body cannot tell
the difference between cocaine, amphetamine, or Ritalin.

Ritalin effects children the same way related stimulants like cocaine
effect adults. Just as predictably, children are subject to Ritalin
side effects, as adults are subject to the side effects of cocaine and
other stimulant drugs.

There is also evidence that early childhood
exposure to Ritalin does diminish adult nerve cell development.

(Many children are prescribed drugs such as Ritalin, Paxil,
Resperdal, etc., for their symptoms which may mask the symptoms and
not remedy the underlying causes.)

IRONICALLY, OUR SOCIETY IMPRISONS PEOPLE FOR MANUFACTURING DRUGS SIMILAR TO THE DRUGS PHYSICIANS COMMONLY PRESCRIBE TO MILLIONS OF CHILDREN...

Replies(33)

krystineM

replied on March 22nd, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

does Ritalin perscribed to children with ADD help calm down that super active or violent gene in them when their diagnosed with ADD or ADHD?
if it were a cocaine symptom, they'd still be violent, causing harm to themselves, or other weird abnormal behaviours, the Ritalin helps calm that down.
Our siciety imprisons people for manufacturing these drugs because its made on the streets and mixed with more chemicals than in a lab where its measured to a certain amount.
[and also the amount of Ritalin given to kinds is measured as well. their not going to have the same amout as an adult with ADD]
The kids who arent diagnosed with ADD or ADHD are the ones having similar symptoms as cocaine, because now there are "pharm parties" where kids get together and dump a bunch of pharmicuital drugs in a bowl and they pop whatever is in the bowl.
Also kids are now selling Ritalin to each other to stay away or to get a high. They are the ones having these symptoms. Not the ones who are perscribed and diagnosed with ADD or ADHD.

nmangelfire

replied on March 23rd, 2008

New User

""Also kids are now selling Ritalin to each other to stay away or to get a high. They are the ones having these symptoms. Not the ones who are perscribed and diagnosed with ADD or ADHD.""

Sweetie, the only way you can get Ritalin is if you have ADD or ADHD... Ritalin is a C2 narcotic and can only be given by prescription. And yes, it is very known that kids are selling this stuff to eachother.. Ritalin is in the same schedule as morphine, percocet and so on, right under the "street" drugs catagory. I know a few pharmacists who are completely against it because of its properties. It is NOT a good "drug" for young children to be on. I know a child who use to be on it and the side effects were quite disturbing. Get your facts. Smile

krystineM

replied on March 23rd, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

Ok, first, no need to be hostile.

Right, so how do you think the other kids get it, the person with ADD/ADHD sells it to them. Its happening in schools alot more these days. If the child is having symptoms like that, the parents are to report it to the doctor, because the perscription could be too high which is causing the side effects that are disturbing.
They can lower the dose so these side effects dont happen, your not supposed to just keep feeding the Ritalin to them if they are experiencing these side effects. It can have more extreme damage if they keep recieving that high amount. Or they need another perscription for ADD/ADHD.

nmangelfire

replied on March 23rd, 2008

New User

Ritalin and Adderal are bad PERIOD...small or large doses... look at my first initial post... and yes I know, kids are selling it in school, eh, what does that tell you? They even crush it up and snort it just like, hmm, what was it? COCAINE..all they have to do is crush the pills and they have themselves a few lines of "coke".... Pill form or crushed form, it is not good for young children.

Reptar

replied on March 23rd, 2008

Experienced User

Yes, well, obviously the kids who were prescribed the Ritalin would be the ones selling it in the first place, unless there is a black market for that type of stuff. I'm not sure how they test for ADD/ADHD, so unless there is a chemical test for it, I'm assuming it might be possible for someone to fake the symptoms. Anyway, I've never met a person who took Ritalin without having a prescription for it, but does it really get people high Krystine? I would of thought it would of had an opposite effect?

My personal belief is that Ritalin is prescribed way too often. I think it should only be prescribed in extreme situations, because I agree that some of the effects are less than desired. I've met a couple people diagnosed with ADD/ADHD and they managed to control it and channel it into something productive, so I know it's possible. I also know young children who've entirely lost their personality while being on the drug. Like a lot of drugs, I think a lot of other treatments should be tried beforehand because the side effects may outweigh the benefits.

alziluth

replied on March 23rd, 2008

New User

Just think of Ritalin as "Speed" and you'll get the picture of why kids take it that don't have ADD.

Also, Ritalin doesn't calm kids down like a tranquilizer, it helps them to focus their attention.

Reptar

replied on March 23rd, 2008

Experienced User

Ah, okay, so that explains why it's traded like caffeine around my over-worked campus. Thanks for clearing that up Smile

Lilly Ivy

replied on March 24th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

"Don't take drugs kids!

Here, have some Ritalin/Aderall!"

It just irritates me putting 5 year olds on pills. 'But they're hyper!' They are 5! they are supposed to be jumping off the walls. Play with them, wear them out, they will pay attention.

It seems no one is perfectly healthy anymore. Everyone has some type of disease now and has to be on some type of drug.

Birch

replied on March 24th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

I think dietary changes could go a long way.

krystineM

replied on March 24th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

Some doctors instead of perscribing Ritalin to children recomend Omega-3 which has fish oil in it and apparently helps that active gene that is found in kids with ADD/ADHD, its safer and does no harm to them, better than Ritalin. I dont agree with kids being perscribed Ritalin either.

Think about it, aside from Ritalin being passed around like Pez candy, anytime you walk in the doctors office and talk about not feeling yourself, being stressed, over whelmed..whatever the situation a pill is perscribed right away. Prozac, Perks, Razapam, you name it. Instead of getting to the root of the problem an anti-depressant or other type of stress relief medication is handed out.

Some society we live in.

Reptar

replied on March 24th, 2008

Experienced User

krystineM wrote:

Think about it, aside from Ritalin being passed around like Pez candy, anytime you walk in the doctors office and talk about not feeling yourself, being stressed, over whelmed..whatever the situation a pill is perscribed right away. Prozac, Perks, Razapam, you name it. Instead of getting to the root of the problem an anti-depressant or other type of stress relief medication is handed out.

Some society we live in.

While I'll generally agree with this statement (as it's true for most people I know), my doctor is very much against just handing away pills. I think having a family doctor for a long period of time really helps because they become connected to their patients. My doctor suggested counselling, lifestyle and dietary changes before prescribing anti-depressants.

krystineM

replied on March 24th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

Your probably one of the few lucky ones who have a relationship like that with their doctors.

To others, you are nothing more than a pay check, and to have you come in and out to them is like breathing in air. They dont want to take the time, dont want to talk or suggest Talk Therapy, just hand you a perscription and off you go.

Especially some parents, they dont want to get to the root of a problem, just get some pills in you to make you "normal" and not have to deal with the 'problem'.

Yes Add/ADHD is a serious problem, but the perscription [Ritalin] that is handed out to kids who need it, should be monitored with how they respond.
I mean even when your given an anti-depressant, the doctor says come back and let us know of any unusual behaviour or feelings you have while on this medication.
Are the parents failing to do this? BEcause that can be the root of the problem. A cut back on the dose, or different medication could make those side effects go away; but if the parents are just getting them on something to get them to be stable, i dont think they would take that much time and consideration into what the drug could be doing to their kid.

But again, i really think the extreme abnormal behaviour comes from the kids who are given Ritalin [from kids who have Ritalin for ADD/ADHD] and abuse it and take it to get a high feeling and feel good feeling. When they dont have that drug, they get aggresive just like someone who cant fine Cocaine would get.

Mabel

replied on March 25th, 2008

Moderator

krystineM wrote:

To others, you are nothing more than a pay check, and to have you come in and out to them is like breathing in air. They dont want to take the time, dont want to talk or suggest Talk Therapy, just hand you a perscription and off you go.

A lot of children have medication AND therapy. It works better together.

krystineM wrote:

Especially some parents, they dont want to get to the root of a problem, just get some pills in you to make you "normal" and not have to deal with the 'problem'.

Many parents have no idea how to address these kinds of problems in their children. It would suite them well to take parenting classes and be involved with their children. However, this is not only directed at children with Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactiviy.

krystineM wrote:

Yes Add/ADHD is a serious problem, but the perscription [Ritalin] that is handed out to kids who need it, should be monitored with how they respond.
I mean even when your given an anti-depressant, the doctor says come back and let us know of any unusual behaviour or feelings you have while on this medication.

They are. There are questionaires to fill out, there are follow up appointments. It isn't just children waltzing into a doctor's office and holding out their hand for medication.

krystineM wrote:

Are the parents failing to do this? BEcause that can be the root of the problem. A cut back on the dose, or different medication could make those side effects go away; but if the parents are just getting them on something to get them to be stable, i dont think they would take that much time and consideration into what the drug could be doing to their kid.

But again, i really think the extreme abnormal behaviour comes from the kids who are given Ritalin [from kids who have Ritalin for ADD/ADHD] and abuse it and take it to get a high feeling and feel good feeling. When they dont have that drug, they get aggresive just like someone who cant fine Cocaine would get.

I do believe a more well rounded way of getting to the reasons for the behavior needs to be established instead of giving kids drugs. There are, as was talked about earlier, diets and therapies that can help and should be considered prior to medication.

Also, I'm always amazed how these kids get their hands on this medication. The schools here hold onto it and if the kids need to take doses during the day, they are sent to the nurses office to have it administered. Teens may have more control over their medication - but if you took away that control, this wouldn't be an issue.

I'm not for or against medication. I think people do what is right for them, in their situation at the time. I don't believe parents give these kinds of drugs to hurt their kids. They do it thinking it will help.

krystineM

replied on March 25th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

The schools hold onto the medication when their in Elementary school.
When their in high school they hold on to it.
Which is why 'pharm parties' pharmaceutical parties are happening a lot more often these days.
Its really quite simple, go into the medicine cabinet when parents are at work or somewhere else in the house, and score you've got your pills.

Yeah there are forms to be filled out, but those questions can easilly be answered by, well, anyone if you think about it. I mean there's kids at the age of 5 or a little older who YEAH! are going to be a little hyper, and the form can be answered pretty easily [by the parent] and there's the Ritalin pills. Just like depression pills, you answer a few questions, and there's your pills, and a form saying come back in a month for a refill.

Sometimes instead of a medication being given out, all kids need who have ADD/ADHD just need an activity, a sport, something to channle that activeness in.
Sure, some dont know how to address the problem, but a pill is not going to make things better. Next thing you know your kid is walking around like a little zombie or making comments about not wanting to live.
Their not hurting them, they just have not asked the questions as to what they can do to help their child.

Tylanas

replied on March 29th, 2008

Especially eHealthy

I have a very good friend who has ADD. He is completely incapable of functioning without Ritalin. He will tap against something, be told to stop, stop, and then start again because he simply doesn't remember he was told to stop. He cannot focus on work, and he's a lot more annoying!! With ritalin, he graduated college in the honor's program. He's an incredibly intelligent young man.

Mommy35

replied on March 29th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

I think a lot more docs are prescribing Concerta which is a hard tab and isn't as easily abused. It's time released so it doesn't give that quick high that the others do.
Strattera is another option for ADD and it is not a stimulant.

I worked with kids and I saw some amazing changes in kids that took Ritalin. They went from very impulsive and unable to stay on task for longer than a couple of minutes to calm and pleasant to be around.

I have also seem parents that take their kid in to get Ritalin so they (the parents) can use it or sell it

krystineM

replied on March 29th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

Mommy35 wrote:

I have also seem parents that take their kid in to get Ritalin so they (the parents) can use it or sell it

i can definately see that happening.
And since you can just take your young child in who is naturally hyperactive, they will still perscribe it when really they dont need it and parents will sell it! thats horrible, but has become a way of life for some.
there's people in other parts of the world...and im ashamed to say one is my mothers cousin...who sell their children to get money for drugs.
there were 2 children, both were taken to live with other family members and doing very well, then the parents took the son back and did the exact same thing to get a drug and high. its terrible the conditions some people put their children in.

lonestarguy

replied on March 29th, 2008

Active User, very eHealthy

From personal experience as a parent with an ADHD child, we were completely in the dark about what it was at the time. All the doctors told us it was hyperactivity. Then, after a couple of years, the diagnosis had a name, ADD and later ADHD, and Ritalin was prescibed.

Ritalin was not very effective for our child, so he went through a litany of other drugs, with mixed results. Finally, Cylert turned out to be the panacea we were seeking and our son went on to be an honor student and graduated from an ivy league school. ADD or ADHD have nothing to do with how intelligent a person is.

I was personally surprised when I read that Ritalin was being used by students to get high and was called "kiddie cocaine."

gematria

replied on March 30th, 2008

New User

lonestar, what were some symptoms your child had from which you concluded there was a problem?

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