Pubdate: Sun, 05 Mar 2000
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI)
Copyright: 2000, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Contact:  414-224-8280
Website: http://www.jsonline.com/
Forum: http://www.jsonline.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimate.cgi
Author: G. Zehren, Port Washington

WE'RE TOO QUICK TO DRUG OUR CHILDREN

As a concerned grandmother, I, too, am horrified by the overuse of
Ritalin and Prozac for behavior control in children.

Before a prescription is written, the doctor should first check on the
child's allergies. Tests done would probably show that some of the
behavior is due to allergies that can trigger extra energies. Ask any
teacher whose students have had too much sugar.

I have a very active grandson whose parents chose not to medicate but
to discover the cause. Tests showed allergies to certain foods, and
diet modification has done wonders for him.

At a time when we add MSG, nitrates and food preservatives that have
longer names than any label can hold, is it any wonder that this
younger generation's bodies are acting differently?

We need to step back and look at what we are putting in our food and
in our children before we medicate.

G. Zehren
Port Washington
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MAP posted-by: Allan Wilkinson