Ritalin, generically known as methylphenidate, belongs to the group of amphetamine and amphetamine-type drugs. Amphetamines are stimulants, more commonly known as "speed." The incidence of taking Ritalin in young children is at an alarming rate. Peterson (1999) reports that at least two million children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder take Ritalin and other related drugs. The United Nations released a report in 1996 expressing concern over the discovery that 10% to 12% of all male school children in the United States currently take the drug, a rate far surpassing that in any other country in the world (Livingstone. 1997). Despite this high level of drug use, there have been many people- parents, educators, medical professionals- who have been lobbying against the use of Ritalin. The literature, academic and consumer oriented, is full of stories and reports of the ill effects of Ritalin on children.

Donna Jones tells the story of how her son was affected by Ritalin. According to her report (Peterson, 1999), "soon after her son started taking the drugs to function. He began experimenting with other pills and substances, including marijuana, speed, and eventually heroin. In February, at the age of 20, he overdosed on heroin and died in an emergency room." Addiction to drugs is only one of the side effects of taking Ritalin that is feared by many parents.
Other reasons have been investigated to support the ban on Ritalin. These include the fact that the apparent benefits of Ritalin have not been shown to be long-term. This leaves us to question how long will the child have to continue taking this drug? According to Betsy Hoza, associate professor of psychological sciences at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, "Taking a pill is a three-hour solution to the problem." She stresses that medication should not be the first treatment choice. "Behavior modification can help the…