http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,19484275-5001022,00.html
Drugged for peace
By BRUCE McDOUGALL, Education Reporter
June 16, 2006
SCHOOL teachers have been accused of suggesting hyperactive children could need treatment for the controversial ADHD treatment just so they can have quieter classrooms.
The claim was made by one of Australia's top education academics who also questioned whether attention deficit hyperactivity disorder even existed.
Angry parents have also contacted The Daily Telegraph with claims teachers have told them their child may suffer from ADHD.
Sydney University's dean of education and social work Derrick Armstrong said children had been given the ADHD "label" to cover a multitude of problems that had not been addressed and given drugs "basically to quieten them down".
"Teachers face real problems in the classroom and have to deal with all sorts of behaviours and issues," he said.
"(But) I suppose for teachers who may not be the best informed people about issues to do with Ritalin and ADHD, the label seems very easy to place on drug treatment which does lead to behaviour being suppressed.
Professor Armstrong said the over-prescribing of ADHD drugs had become a growth industry.
But he said it was still debatable whether the condition actually existed or had been promoted by "hype and vested interests".
"Whether it (ADHD) exists or not, whether there is such a thing, I think is a much more debatable question," Professor Armstrong said.
He said the label and drug treatment were conveniently used instead of addressing real issues which could involve food, additives or the type of disciplinary measures used on children.
"In other parts of the world concerns about the over-prescription of Ritalin has really started to resonate and be addressed," he said.
"The long-term effects of drug treatment are not well known or well researched but there is evidence of children suffering quite serious illness as a result of Ritalin use, even deaths of children."
Teachers Federation president Maree O'Halloran said she was not aware of any complaints about teachers suggesting children may suffer from ADHD."
They should have chosen to become Pharma Reps instead of teachers - they'd clearly be better at it.