In many parts of the world, there are few families and teachers whose lives have not been interrupted by the prescription of mind-altering drugs to children.
In the U.S. alone, these drugs are prescribed to at least 6 million children for supposedly educational reasons; 2 million children take antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs.
In Australia, the stimulant prescription rate for children increased 34-fold in the past two decades.
In Britain, the rate increased 9,200% between 1992 and 2000.
Between 1993 and 2001, methylphenidate (generic form of Ritalin) sales in Mexico increased 800%.
German methylphenidate sales increased 400% between 1995 and 1999.
Significant increases are also reported in France, Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland.
Commonly, a psychiatrist or psychologist tells parents that their child suffers from a Learning Disorder (LD) also labeled Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), or most often today, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Brain disease or a chemical imbalance of the brain may also be mentioned, but parents are always told that this is a well-recognized medical problem demanding continuous, prescribed medication. Don't believe it.
Unlike medicine, there is no scientific basis for any of these psychiatric disorders. In this section we answer the most frequently asked questions about this subject and provide information about the risks of drugs prescribed for learning disorders. It also refers you to CCHR publications and other recommended reading.
