Pubdate: Wed, 05 Dec 2001 Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch (VA) Copyright: 2001 Richmond Newspapers Inc. Contact: http://www.timesdispatch.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/365 Author: Tammie Smith Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?186 (Oxycontin) RITALIN STUDY GROUP ASKING FOR MORE DATA A legislative study group looking at Ritalin use left off where it began: asking for more information. Lacking what it thinks is good data, the committee has decided to recommend that several state agencies collaborate on a comprehensive study of the use of Ritalin and similar drugs used to treat attention deficit disorders in children. Such an effort would use time-tested research methods and could take a year or longer to complete, educators said. "There are a lot of people who think we have just barely scratched the surface," state Sen. Yvonne B. Miller, D-Norfolk, said as the study group completed its work this week. Prescription state Virginia, she said, is a high volume prescription state when it comes to using Ritalin and similar drugs to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children are diagnosed with the disorders when they have trouble focusing on school work and sitting still during class, so much that the behaviors interfere with their ability to learn. "We really need to look at alternative ways of dealing with children rather than medicating them out of their minds," Miller said. Miller's statements are backed by data that rank Virginia among the top 10 states in terms of Ritalin and similar drugs prescribed. The numbers are based on Drug Enforcement Agency data. On the other hand, a state education department survey in September did not show an excessive number of children taking drugs for attention deficit disorders - but that study was limited in scope. In the survey of the state's 129 public school divisions, the results showed 16,521 children - about 1.52 percent of the student population - were receiving Ritalin or similar drugs. Some say the numbers clearly underestimate the real picture. "They have only [16,000] children across the state, we have about that many in one or two school districts in the Hampton Roads region," said Dr. Gretchen B. LeFever, an associate professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at Eastern Virginia Medical School and Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters in Norfolk. LeFever said the state survey was done early in the school year before student records were updated. Secondly, she noted, one-half to three-quarters of children on drugs for attention deficit problems are taking the new, longer-acting versions which they can take before they leave for school. Opinions on whether ADHD is a real disorder span the spectrum. Some maintain it's a bogus diagnosis and that teachers and parents are too quick to turn to drugs when they simply need to use different behavior management strategies. Others say there is evidence of neurobiological problems. "I believe ADHD is a very real disorder with serious implications," LeFever said. Overdiagnosis expected In general, however, "We are diagnosing more children than would be expected," she said. "I would agree with experts from the National Institutes of Health that any community that has around 10 [percent] to 12 percent of their children being diagnosed has a problem with overdiagnosis. I think many of our communities have problems." The study committee, which also looked at OxyContin abuse, will endorse an attorney general's task force proposal to create a centralized prescription monitoring program. The system would cost between $1 million and $2 million. It would allow law enforcement officials to search for unusual use or prescribing patterns of controlled substances. Passing legislation for the system "is going to be a fight," said Del. John M. O'Bannon, R-Henrico, who brought up privacy concerns. That task force, which meets later this month, is also expected to recommend stiffer penalties for dealing drugs like OxyContin. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth