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Ban the Use of ADHD Drugs in Children Until Their Dangers Can Be Investigated

We ask Congress, the Senate and the President to support a ban, or at least a drastic limit, on the use of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) stimulant type drugs for teens and children under the age of 18 until the dangerous consequence

We ask the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Senate and the President to support a ban, or at least a drastic limit, on the use of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) stimulant type drugs for teens and children under the age of 18 until the dangerous consequences of their use can be scientifically disproven.



We believe there are serious issues related to the administration of amphetamine type drugs such as methylphenidate (trade names Concerta, Methylin, Ritalin, Equasym XL), Dexedrine, Cylert and Adderall, which are used to treat children diagnosed with ADHD.



Due to the promotion and marketing of ADHD and ADHD drugs directly to the public and medical community by the pharmaceutical industry, ADHD has become the most commonly diagnosed, and potentially misdiagnosed, mental disorder among children in the United States and the numbers are increasing. According to the Center for Disease Control by 2011, 6.5 million children were diagnosed with ADHD in the U.S. and of those diagnosed, 3.5 million were being prescribed medications, which was an increase from 4.4 million children diagnosed with ADHD and 2.5. million children medicated for ADHD in 2003.



1) These stimulant drugs are mostly prescribed for (ADHD) and other childhood "disorders" and are "Schedule II" drugs, meaning they have the same potential for abuse as morphine, opium and cocaine. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports that studies show that Ritalin is more potent than cocaine and affects the brain in the same way as cocaine does.



2) Concerns have been raised that long-term therapy of these types of drugs can cause drug dependence, psychosis (mania), depression, insomnia, agitation, social withdrawal, stunted growth, heart irregularities and sometimes even death. It is unacceptable that drugs with such potentially damaging side effects are allowed to be given to children.



3) There are no objective medical tests for ADHD, and the screenings and diagnosis for these drugs are subjective and are open to misdiagnosis. Therefore, we believe that multitudes of normal, spirited children with no mental condition are being placed on these drugs.



4) The real long-term effects of these medications, both physical and psychological, on children have not been fully examined and publicized.



Therefore, we ask the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Senate and the President to conduct a full investigation on the extent of these medications? effects on children and we urge you to ban the use of these medications for children until conclusive scientific evidence determines their safety.