An American study -- published in the Medical Observer -- has found that while drugs such as Ritalin can initially help sufferers, the benefit of prolonged use is in doubt. Some children stay on medication until they reach 18, but researchers believe it may not protect them from all the symptoms.
The US Multimodal Treatment Study of Children revealed the more days of prescribed medication, the more serious delinquency became.
In a cohort of 500 children with ADHD -- followed for 36 months until they were 12 -- researchers found 27 per cent were at a greater risk of committing crime, compared with 7 per cent among "normative" children. Substance use also increased to 17 per cent in ADHD children -- almost double the normal rate.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
RITALIN, KID CRIME LINKED
Kids who take Ritalin for a long time may be more likely to turn into punks on dope. According to this Daily Telegraph report:
More substance abuse among kids who've been told they must take drugs to feel better. Couldn't see that one coming.