Death From Ritalin
The Truth Behind ADHD
www.RitalinDeath.com
- Immediate Senate Action Needed -
Visit: www.Methylphenidate.net
If Your child has suffered any side effects from the new non-stimulant ADHD
miracle drug created by Eli Lilly and Company called Strattera (atomoxetine
HCl) please report side effects Here. This info will benefit many other
children in the future.
This is an educational resource for parents who are being pressured into
drugging their child for ADHD by a school Psychologist, social worker, teacher,
or principle.
Parents want what's best for their child, in many cases at the start of the new
school year parents are being told that their child has ADHD and that
medication would be a great benefit.
Between 1990 and 2000 there were 186 deaths from methylphenidate reported to
the FDA MedWatch program, a voluntary reporting scheme, the numbers of which
represent no more than 10 to 20% of the actual incidence.
http://www.adhdfraud.org/commentary/1-6-02-2.htm
In 1998 at the National Institutes of Health Consensus on ADHD, the following
statement was issued: "We do not have an independent, valid test for ADHD, and
there is no data to indicate that ADHD is due to a brain malfunction".
We wish to expose the health risks, dangers, and deaths that are a direct
result of administering psycho-tropic drugs to children. These psycho-tropic
drugs given to children labeled with ADHD include Ritalin, Methylphenidate,
Concerta, Dexedrine, Dextrostat, and Metadate, just to name a few.
It is time for parents to come together and fight this horrific war against the
drugging of our children, America's future.
This crusade requires a united front. If you want to join, contribute, and/or
become an active member of this justified crusade please contact us.
I hope our story and information will in some way benefit you and your child
and prevent our tragedy from being your families’ reality and nightmare.
Our 14-year-old Son died from Ritalin use
Our fourteen year old son Matthew suddenly died on March 21, 2000. The cause of
death was determined to be from the long-term (age 7-14) use of
Methylphenidate, a drug commonly known as Ritalin.
According to Dr. Ljuba Dragovic, the Chief Pathologist of Oakland County,
Michigan, upon autopsy, Matthew's heart showed clear signs of small vessel
damage caused from the use of Methylphenidate (Ritalin).
The certificate of death reads: "Death caused from Long Term Use of
Methylphenidate, (Ritalin)."
I was told by one of the medical examiners that a full-grown man's heart weighs
about 350 grams and that Matthew's heart's weight was about 402 grams. Dr.
Dragovic said this type of heart damage is smoldering and not easily detected
with the standard test done for prescription refills. The standard test usually
consists of blood work, listening to the heart, and questions about school
behaviors, sleeping and eating habits.
*What is important to note here is that Matthew did not have any pre-existing
heart condition or defect.
Matthew's story started in a small town within Berkley, Michigan. While in
first grade Matthew was evaluated by the school, who believed he had ADHD. The
school social worker, Monica Fuchs, kept calling us in for meetings. One
morning at one of these meetings while waiting for the others to arrive, Monica
told us that if we refused to take Matthew to the doctor and get him on
Ritalin, child protective services could charge us for neglecting his
educational and emotional needs. My wife and I were intimidated and scared. We
believed that there was a very real possibility of losing our children if we
did not comply with the schools threats.
Monica further explained ADHD to us, stating that it was a real brain disorder.
She also went on to tell us that the Methylphenidate (Ritalin) was a very mild
medication and would stimulate the brain stem and help Matthew focus.
We gave into the schools pressure and took our son to a pediatrician that they
recommended. His name was Dr. John Dorsey of Birmingham, Michigan. While
visiting Dr. Dorsey with the schools recommendation for Methylphenidate
(Ritalin) in hand, I noted that he seemed frustrated with the school. He asked
us to remind the school that he was not a pharmacy. I can only conclude from
his comment that we were not the first parents sent to him by this school. Dr.
Dorsey officially diagnosed Matthew with ADHD. The test used for the diagnosis
was a five minute pencil twirling trick, resulting in me being handed a
prescription for Methylphenidate/Ritalin.
It is important to note that the schools insistence and role in our son's
drugging was documented in a letter written by Monica to the pediatrician
stating: "We would have hoped you would have started Matthew on a trial of
medication by now".
At no time were my wife and I ever told significant facts regarding the issue
of ADHD and the drugs used to "treat it". These significant facts withheld from
us inevitably would have changed the road that we were headed down by
ultimately altering the decisions we would have made.
We were not told that The Drug Enforcement Administration had classified
Methylphenidate (Ritalin) as a Schedule II drug, comparable to Cocaine.
We were not told that Methylphenidate is also one of the top ten abused
prescription drugs.
At no time were we informed of the unscientific nature of the disorder.
We were not told that there was widespread controversy among the medical
establishment in regards to the validity of the disorder.
Furthermore, we were not provided with information involving the dangers of
using Methylphenidate (Ritalin) as "treatment" for ADHD. One of these dangers
includes the fact that Methylphenidate causes constriction of veins and
arteries, causing the heart to work overtime and inevitably leading to damage
to the organ itself.
We were not made aware of the large number of children's deaths, that have been
linked with these types of drugs used as "treatment".
While Matthew was taking Methylphenidate (Ritalin), at no time, were we
informed of any test: EKG, echocardiogram. These types of tests could have
detected the damage done to his heart. These test are not considered "standard"
in monitoring "treatment" of ADHD they are usually never administered to
children. Sadly death is inevitable without the possibility of detection.
*I want to ask every parent out there these important questions:
How different would your decisions be if information was withheld from you? How
different would your decisions be if you receive only distorted data?
I, myself, know that our families and Matthews outcome would have been quite
different had we received all information. If I had known certain facts I would
have acted differently and my son would be alive today. This I am sure of.
Informed Consent", which states in part A person's agreement to allow something
to happen (such as surgery) that is based on a full disclosure of the facts
needed to make the decision intelligently; i.e. knowledge of risks involved,
alternatives etc" and "the probable risks against the probable benefits"
The violation of parent's rights is when they are not told of the unscientific
nature of so-called disorders such as ADHD or the risks of the treatments
involving (drugs) and they certainly are not told of alternatives to their
child's behavior such as undiagnosed allergies or food sensitivities, which
could manifest with the symptoms of what psychiatry calls ADHD.
Here are some facts that are being withheld from parents that could possibly
alter their life decisions and outcomes.
Did you know that schools receive additional money from state and federal
government for every child labeled and drugged? This clearly demonstrates a
possible "financial incentive" for schools to label and drug children. It also
backs up the alarming rise/increase in the labeling and drugging that has taken
place in the last decade within our schools.
Did you know that parents receiving welfare money from the government can get
additional funds for every child that they have labeled and drugged? In this
way, many lower socio-economic parents (many times single mothers) are reeled
into the drugging by these financial incentives waved in front of them in hard
times, making lifestyle changes possible.
Did you know that by labeling your child with ADHD, you are actually labeling
them with a mental illness listed in the DSM-IV, the unscientific billing bible
of psychiatry?
Did you know that a child taking a psycho-tropic, psycho-stimulant drug after
the age of 12 is ineligible for military service?
Did you know that the subjective checklists that are being used as criteria for
diagnosis are very similar to the checklists used to determine Gifted and
Talented Children? These two checklists are almost identical.
The Drug Enforcement Administration clearly states in their report on
Methylphenidate: "However, contrary to popular belief, stimulants like
methylphenidate will affect normal children and adults in the same manner that
they affect ADHD children. Behavioral or attentional improvements with
methylphenidate treatment therefore is not diagnostic of ADHD." (p.11) This
statement thoroughly contradicts what is being told to many parents by the many
"professionals" that have a vested stake in the diagnosis itself.
The DEA further states that: "Of particular concern is that most of the ADHD
literature prepared for public consumption by CHADD and other groups and
available to parents, does not address the abuse potential or actual abuse of
methylphenidate. Instead, methylphenidate (usually referred to as Ritalin by
these groups) is routinely portrayed as a benign, mild substance that is not
associated with abuse or serious side effects. In reality, however, there is an
abundance of scientific literature which indicates that methylphenidate shares
the same abuse potential as other Schedule II stimulants." (p.4)
Did you know that groups like CHADD and others available to parents are being
supported financially by pharmaceutical companies? This is a red flag and
demonstrates a conflict of interest in the role that these groups have
regarding our children's health and well-being.
Did you know that there are studies such as the Berkeley Study that contends
that Ritalin and other stimulants further raise the risk of drug abuse? From
the Wall Street Journal, Monday, May 17, 1999 by Marilyn Chase: "Nadine
Lambert, a professor of education, followed almost 500 children for 26 years.
She argues that exposure to Ritalin makes the brain more susceptible to the
addictive power of cocaine and doubles the risk of abuse." This study seems to
never make it into the hands of parents because it doesn't support the theories
of those using the diagnosis to profit off of our children. What does seem to
make it into many parents’ hands is research indicating that if children go
"untreated", which corresponds with "unmedicated" they will "self-medicate" or
end up as juvenile delinquents. Sadly many of these parents are not aware that
many of this biased and unproven research (one such is the Beiderman study)
infiltrating our schools are actually being distributed by pharmaceutical
companies, such as Novartis. This in itself is another red flag and conflict of
interest surrounding our children's health.
I leave you with this question: How many more 11 year old Stephanie Hall's, 14
year old Matthew Smith's and 10 year old Shaina Dunkle's need to die before we
realize what is happening and speak out and act to put an end to it? One toy
might be recalled if 1 or 2 children die from it. How many children have to die
from these drugs before we realize and put an end to this horror. Why should
hundreds or thousands have to die before we are outraged and act? Is the profit
of so many, worth more than our children's safety and lives? Sadly the deaths
of these children have remained unexposed and suppressed for so long because
there is a tremendous amount of money and profit at stake for so many. My son's
voice will not be one of those suppressed and quieted.
Matthew's voice in death will be heard by all.
Lawrence T. Smith
http://www.ritalindeath.com/contact.htm
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Table of Contents
Death From Ritalin The Truth Behind ADHD
An educational resource for parents who are being pressured to drug their
children for ADHD by, school Psychologist, social worker, teacher, or
principle.
http://www.ritalindeath.com/homepage.htm
Death From Ritalin The Truth Behind ADHD
RitalinDeath.com archive homepage 2000-2002
http://www.ritalindeath.com/archive.htm
Lawrence T. Smith author of RitalinDeath.com
http://www.ritalindeath.com/lawrencesmith.htm
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Helpful information and insight on the issues
of ADHD and Medication
Ritalin Package insert
DESCRIPTION, CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, WARNINGS, DRUG INTERACTIONS
http://www.ritalindeath.com/packageinsert.htm
Coming Soon
a new extension to Ritalindeath.com
http://www.strattera.ws will be a great resource for those searching the web
for current info on the side effects being caused from the use of Strattera,
also a good place to post a public report.
http://ritalindeath.com/strattera.htm
A Model Consent Form for Children and Psychiatric Drugs
I am aware that I will never be able to remove this diagnostic label or any
other from my child's medical record, and that this record may interfere with
possible educational and vocational directions of my child.
http://www.ritalindeath.com/consentform.htm
A Few Simple Truths About ADHD and Stimulant Drugs
Responses to Common Professional Statements Made to Parents About Their
Children
http://www.ritalindeath.com/simpletruths.htm
Relationship between CHADD & pharmaceutical industry
The organization (CHADD) Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders
has been a recipient of financial donations and contributions from the drug
company Ciba/Novartis for many years. http://www.ritalindeath.com/chadd.htm
Help Page
For Parents that are being pressured into drugging their children for ADHD.
http://www.ritalindeath.com/help.htm
Scientists Find Little, If Any, Proof Ritalin Is Effective
By Brad Evenson National Post - Canada 2-6-2
http://www.ritalindeath.com/littleproof.htm
Composers of APA Division 29's (Psychotherapy) Brochure Project
Read letter that began as an effort on the part of Dr. Galves to dialogue with
the composers of APA Division 29's (Psychotherapy) Brochure Project
http://www.ritalindeath.com/APA.htm
THE CONTROVERSY BEHIND ADHD
Health hazards of using stimulant medications as treatment for Attention
Deficit Hyper-Activity Disorder ADHD! Drugs used to control the behaviors of
millions of children, Adderall, Concerta, Dexedrine, Metadate, Methylphenidate,
Ritalin and more.
http://www.ritalindeath.com/controversy.htm
The Netherlands Advertisement Code Commission (Reclame Code Commissie)
has ruled that the country’s Brain Foundation cannot claim that the
controversial psychiatric condition Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD) is a neurobiological disease or brain dysfunction.
http://www.ritalindeath.com/cchr.htm
Ethics in Education
There are far too many postings from parents about the concerns regarding the
label and drugging of children that go unanswered. It is time we have an honest
and open debate about the mental health system and the drug industry. Written
by Sheila Matthews http://www.ritalindeath.com/ethics.htm
Is Your ADHD Support Group a Front Organization
for the Pharmaceutical Industry? written By Richard DeGrandpre, Ph.D.
http://www.ritalindeath.com/frontgroup.htm
Our Schools Are Turning Into Mental Institutions
with the teachers as the diagnosticians. Written by Patricia Mark
http://www.ritalindeath.com/institutions.htm
Between 1990 and 2000 186 children died from Ritalin alone
ADHD is not a disorder; they are behaviors ( 18 of them ) that society now
deems as a disease that have no scientific validity behind them at all.
http://www.ritalindeath.com/truth.htm
Drug Children to Death
The "child protectors" just don't care what they do to the children they're
charged with protecting http://www.ritalindeath.com/drugchildrentodeath.htm
Some psychiatrists want to start treating "relational disorders." Are they
nuts?
http://www.ritalindeath.com/relationaldisorders.htm
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Articles written by Dr. Fred Baughman
ADHD TREATMENT DEATHS: ASSAULT & BATTERY--MURDER
By Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD 7-5-02
http://www.ritalindeath.com/adhdtreatmentdeaths.htm
THE ADHD-AS-A-“DISEASE†FRAUD ROLLS ON
By Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD
http://www.ritalindeath.com/fraud.htm
THE RISE AND FALL OF ADD/ADHD
by Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD 9/25/00 Our Children?
http://www.ritalindeath.com/adhd.htm
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Articles written by: Dr. Samuel L. Blumenfeld
Articles written by: Dr. Samuel L. Blumenfeld
Author of Eight Books on Education
http://www.ritalindeath.com/blumenfeld.htm
How Drug Company Money Has Corrupted Psychiatry
by Loren R. Mosher, M.D. http://www.ritalindeath.com/corruption.htm
EXAMINING DRUGS FOR ADHD, PARTICULARLY 'STRATTERA'
by Dan L. Edmunds, MA, EdD candidate
http://www.ritalindeath.com/edmunds.htm
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Legislation
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED TO PASS THE CHILD MEDICATION SAFETY ACT OF 2003
http://www.ritalindeath.com/action.htm
H R 1170 Child Medication Safety Act of 2003
To protect children and their parents from being coerced into administering
psychotropic medication in order to attend school, and for other purposes.
http://www.ritalindeath.com/HR 1170.htm
AbleChild.org Parents for Label and Drug Free Education
If you are being pressured to take your child to the doctor so they can get on
drugs?
Please visit our website and fill out our petition. This petition is a parent
complaint form. http://www.ablechild.org/urgent-parent coerced to drug their
children!!!.htm
Committee on Government Reform
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders—Are Children Being Over Medicated
http://www.ritalindeath.com/hearing.htm
Committee on Government Reform
TESTIMONY BY LISA MARIE PRESLEY INTERNATIONAL SPOKESPERSON FOR CHILDREN'S
RIGHTS, FOR CITIZENS COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS INTERNATIONAL
http://www.ritalindeath.com/lisamariepresleytestimony.htm
Committee on Government Reform
TESTIMONY Of PATRICIA WEATHERS PRESIDENT OF
PARENTS FOR LABEL AND DRUG-FREE EDUCATION
http://www.ritalindeath.com/patriciaweatherstestimony.htm
Committee on Government Reform
Testimony of Dr. Mary Ann Block Author, No More ADHD:
10 Steps to Help Improve Your Child's Attention & Behavior Without Drugs!
http://www.ritalindeath.com/maryannblocktestimony.htm
Committee on Government Reform
TESTIMONY OF BRUCE WISEMAN U.S. PRESIDENT CITIZENS COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
http://www.ritalindeath.com/brucewisemanstestimony.htm
Michigan House Bill 4025 of 2003
would prohibit school personnel from making a psychological diagnosis of a
child and would also prohibit school personnel from recommending psychotropic
drugs for any child.
http://www.ritalindeath.com/HB 4025.htm
View graft of State Bills and Resolutions passed and pending between 1999-2000
http://www.ritalindeath.com/bills-resolutions.htm
Parents may face jail over compulsory drug orders
Parents of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) will face jail under proposals in the new Mental Health Bill if they
refuse to drug their children, a psychiatrist has warned.
http://www.ritalindeath.com/begley.htm
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Parents and children whose lives have been effected
by the subjective ADHD diagnosis and the drugs used as treatment.
In Memory of children that have died from the use of psychotropic medications
http://www.ritalindeath.com/inmemoryof.htm
Mother's story about 10 year old daughter Shaina's Death,
caused form Desipramine toxicity! Written by Vicky Dunkle
http://www.ritalindeath.com/shaina.htm
11-Year-old Stephanie Died from Ritalin Use
http://www.ritalindeath.com/stephanie.htm
The Day I Could of Lost My Son
In 1997 I was told by my son's public school several things…
By Patricia Weathers http://www.ritalindeath.com/patriciaweathers.htm
The boy, Michael Mozer, plans to sue the school officials
http://www.ritalindeath.com/michaelmozer.htm
Doping Kids
The most common ADHD remedy among pediatricians and representatives of the
mental-health community is, as noted, Ritalin. INSIGHT Magazine June 28,1999
Kelly Patricia O'Meara http://www.ritalindeath.com/dopingkids.htm
The Psychiatric Labeling and Drugging of Our Children
Written By Sheila Matthews http://www.ritalindeath.com/sheilamatthews.htm
Letter from school social worker asking doctor to put six year old on
medication
http://www.ritalindeath.com/letter.htm
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Other Relevant Websites
http://www.ritalindeath.com/links.htm
News Links related to ADD, ADHD & the drugs used as treatment
http://www.ritalindeath.com/news.htm
Links to Articles By Kelly Patricia O’Meara Investigative reporter for
Insight Magazine www.ritalindeath.com/kellyomeara.htm
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