Pubdate: Thu, 24 Jul 2003 Source: Teeside Evening Gazette (UK) Copyright: 2003 Teeside Evening Gazette. Website: http://icteesside.icnetwork.co.uk/ournewspapers/eveninggazette/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2569 Author: Helen Sturdy, Evening Gazette Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) THE PILLS PEDDLERS Youngsters prescribed a controversial hyperactivity drug are peddling the pills to schoolfriends in Middlesbrough, it was confirmed today. And children are also suffering at the hands of bullies, who are forcing them to hand over their Ritalin medication, which can produce a cocaine-type high. Experts believe the tablets could be changing hands for up to #10 a time for their euphoric or appetite-suppressing effects. Education chiefs in Stockton, Redcar and Cleveland and Hartlepool say they have no evidence of the drug changing hands in their schools. Today Dave Woodhouse, head of psychology at Teesside University, said: "It is very similar to cocaine and in some ways it is more effective than cocaine, for example, it stays in the brain longer. "The abuse is nothing new. It started in the early '60s but no study has been done in terms of the level of abuse. "But I gave a talk to a group of school teachers and asked how many of them knew about Ritalin being sold between children at school. "Ninety per cent of them put their hands up and said they had some experience of it." Ritalin - or methylphenidate - is a medication prescribed for children who have an abnormally high level of activity or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder - ADHD. The drug is a central nervous system stimulant with effects similar to, but stronger than, caffeine and less potent than amphetamines. Ritalin is said to have a calming effect on hyperactive children and a focusing effect on those with ADHD. Opponents of the widespread use of the drug fear it may have unpleasant side-effects, leaving some children robotic, lethargic, depressed, or withdrawn. The late Professor Steve Baldwin from Teesside University was opposed to the use of Ritalin and ran the drug-free Cactus Clinic at Teesside University for children diagnosed with ADHD. His final legacy - published by his colleagues after his tragic death in the Selby train crash - also claimed that Ritalin was being distributed in schools in an ad-hoc way. The drug is not licensed for people under six, but doctors have prescribed it to children as young as 15 months. And it is now on the Drug Enforcement Agency's top ten list of most stolen prescription drugs. Dave Johnson, head of inclusion at Middlesbrough Council, said: "We are aware there is a market for Ritalin tablets. What the current state of play is, we are unsure. At one point, we believe it was being sold for #10 a tablet." - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin