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DEA REPORT
At the conclusion of the Conference on Stimulant Use in
the Treatment of ADHD 
"Today, we have concluded a national conference of
experts from the fields of research, medicine, public
health and law enforcement brought together by the U.S.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to examine issues
concerning the prescribing of stimulants to school-age
children for the treatment of Attention Deficit
Hyperactive Disorder (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD (ADD/ADHD, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). The principal drug used for this purpose is
methylphenidate, commonly known as "Ritalin."The DEA has become alarmed by the tremendous increase in the prescribing of these drugs in recent years.  Since 1990, prescriptions for
methylphenidate have increased by 500 percent, while
prescriptions for amphetamine for the same purpose have
increased 400 percent. Now we see a situation in which
from seven to ten percent of the nation's boys are on
these drugs at some point as well as a rising percentage
of girls. When so many children are involved in the
daily use of such a powerful psychoactive drugs, it is
important for all of us to understand what is going on and
why. The DEA has a responsibility to the nation to control
such abusable legal drugs and to insure that their use is
confined to legitimate medical need. Certain things have
become clear from our deliberations of the last several days,
and the public, parents and decision-makers need to hear
them. First, let me say that medical experts agree that these
drugs do help the small percentage of children who need
them. But there is also strong evidence that the drugs
have been greatly over-prescribed in some parts of the
country as a panacea for behavior problems. These drugs have
been over-promoted, over-marketed and over-sold, resulting in
profits of some $450 million annually. This constitutes a
potential health threat to many children and has also created
a new source of drug abuse and illicit traffic.  The data shows
that there has been a 1,000 percent increase in drug abuse
injury reports involving methylphenidate for children
in the 10 to 14 age group. This now equals or exceeds
reports for the same age group involving cocaine. The reported
numbers are still small but experts feel that this is only the
"tip of the iceberg." I do want to emphasize that medical authorities do believe that ADHD (ADD/ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
is a distinct health problem affecting some children who can be helped
by these drugs when prescribed after careful diagnosis. In those
cases, parents should work closely with their children, the family
physician and school authorities to insure proper administration and
control of the drug. But on the other hand, when we see that in some
localities as many as 15 to 20 percent of the children have been put
on Ritalin or a similar stimulant, there is good reason to conclude
that this is "quick-fix." bogus medical practice which is nevertheless
producing large profits. This far exceeds any professional estimates
of actual need. Parents need to understand that we are talking
about very potent, addictive and abusable substances;
a potency that can help in the right situation but can destroy
in the wrong situation. Above all, parents need to educate
themselves and protect their children by adopting an attitude
of proper parental caution. Regrettably, much of the literature
and promotion of the drug in recent years has ignored or
understated the potency and abuse potential of methylphenidate and
Ritalin. This appears to have misled many physicians into prescribing
the drug as a quick-fix for learning and behavior problems. I want to emphasize that matters of this kind are vital but cannot be
simplified. There is a legitimate place for these drugs, but we have
become the only country in the world where children are prescribed such
a vast quantity of stimulants that share virtually the same properties
as cocaine. We must find a better balance. We must turn down the flow
which is rapidly becoming a flood. In conclusion, I want to call upon the drug industry, the parent
support groups, the researchers and medical authorities to get a better,
more accurate message out to the public. I want to call upon law
enforcement authorities to root out this new illicit traffic before it
spreads. And I want to urge parents to educate themselves, protect
their children and teach them a healthy respect for both the good and
evil which drugs can do.END QUOTE Above is a statement by: Mr. Gene R. Haislip, Deputy Assistant Administrator Office of Diversion Control Drug Enforcement Administration United States Department of Justice Washington, DC (reproduced verbatim in its entirety)
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