Pubdate: Sun, 15 Feb 2004
Source: Charlotte Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2004 The Charlotte Observer
Contact:  http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78
Author: Bryan McNeill

'GROWING' RITALIN ABUSE? STORY FAILS TO MAKE CASE

" 'Poor man's cocaine' " (Feb. 9) draws a provocative conclusion that isn't 
substantiated by the facts presented.

Although your subheadline claims "Growing number of youths are abusing 
Ritalin, law enforcement says," the body of the story acknowledges that 
N.C. and S.C. DEA agents say they've observed no problem, the DEA 
pharmacologist says it's hard to tell how much abuse is occurring and a 
national survey shows emergency room visits involving abuse of stimulants 
such as Ritalin have dropped by almost 50 percent since 1997.

So are a growing number of youths really abusing Ritalin? Who knows? 
Certainly not the experts you quote. The few facts you offer suggest the 
situation may actually be improving.

Bryan McNeill

Charlotte
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