Posted by The Virginian Pilot on 10/23/2007, 3:04 pm, in reply to "Re: Comments... Comments... Comments..."
70.155.70.112
Irresponsible - First, I applaud the two school board members who recognized this is a medical issue between doctor and patient. Second, I think it is totally irresponsible to give the flyers to the students without consideration to the possible consequences for the student who a. has already heard he/she is simply "not trying hard enough" b. may decide to stop taking his/her medication with consequences that could be unfortunate and c. may already have self esteem issues from past difficulties in school prior to taking medication. I hope that some of the wonderful professionals that treat children and adults with ADHD respond to the misinformation in the flyers handed out. Don't Scientologists also think depression should not be treated by medication? - Randi b. - suffolk
Bogus ADHD / ADD - ADHD and ADD is a load of crap. My children were diagnosed by a medical person to have this fake condition and only after the school and teacher recommending it. Man was I stupid for allowing this crap medical drug babysitting therapy in my house. I took my children off all meds and told the teacher to deal with it there and I deal with it here at home. My children have grown to be fine respectable adults making a great living for themselves. If a kid can play a video game for more than 10 minutes, they are just fine, There children so let them be children not zombies. Parents be parents again for a change. - Mark B. - chesapeake
Finally the truth being told - I applaud this district for having the guts to give it straight! There may be behavioral problems that folks don't know what to do about as there are also solutions that they don't know about. There are psychiatrists around the country who know how bad the drugs are and elect the use of natural remedies and also non-profits, one of which is The Results Project out of Las Vegas where they have gotten over 1,500 children off the drugs and on to better living through management of their physical health. Parents who have an interest in seeing better health and behavior in their child can do so by finding it online. There are always two sides to a story and the side that says that ADHD is real, still has no true scientific data to give - Linda J. - Carmichael
User Comment - The overmedication of American children is appalling. The Europeans and Scandinavians do not do this and are shocked at how freely US physicians prescribe stimulants and anti-depressants -- often in combination -- to grade school children who've exhibited no major problems in normal functioning. Portsmouth may've jumped the gun by distributing a poorly researched flier of dubious credibility, but it's better than what many other urban school districts do -- which is quite the opposite! I've heard horror stories of teachers and administrators trying to bully parents into drugging their child -- simply because they fidgit, speak out of turn, or choose to draw pictures rather than play kickball at recess. Authority wants docile automatons! - Clint J. - Norfolk
Well Done! - I applaud the efforts of the Portsmith School Board to help parents make an informed choice on this issue. Per the APA there is no test for ADHD. There is no set of symptoms that a "diagnosis" is based upon. It is a "disease" that came into being the same way the rest of the "disease"s came about in the DSM. The APA votes these mental "diseases" into being. Votes them into the DSM. Did you know that Ritalin per the DEA is the most widely abused drug in our school system, surpassing marijuana and alcohol. It's called "Kiddy Cocaine". We give this to our children to make them better students! It has resulted in an enormance increase of violance in our schools. Most all of the student shootings had psych drugs behind the trigger like Columbine - Jim O. - Falls Church
As an ADHD Adult and Former Ptown student - I have to say there is a good argument on both sides of the coin. When I was younger I was on Ritalin. I had to take it before school and then sneak it again at lunch. If I didnt get it at lunch I would start to get very groggy, and yes Poco, Ritalin can make you groggy just like you can get groggy from drinking too much coffee. I did well in school while on the drugs, however I did better when not on the drug and I was on a diet that didnt allow preservatives and additives. That is the cause of most of our problems. We are genetically altering our foods and adding all kinds of chemicals to our bodies without knowing the long term effects. The effects of these drugs on the brain are horrible. I have no short term memory and I have headaches - bryant e. - virginia beach
not all is fake - As someone with ADHD (inattentive type) I can assure you it is not some fake thing that psychiatrists came up with to sell medicine. Before I was officially diagnosed, I knew something was wrong but didn't know exactly what it was. After years of treatment, I have reached my full potential. Yes, I agree parents need to do their jobs in teaching their kids to behave - mine disciplined me very well. Yes, I agree ADHD is overdiagnosed and so is the medicine.. but for those people who really do have ADHD, this flyer would upset me; espeecially if I was younger in school still. A flyer that contains actual facts and citations, as well as referalls for support groups and the like - I would be pleased to have sent home with my child - Kj N. - Chesapeake
Educational Politics & Quack Crusades - This incident has made me reflect on the purpose of School Boards. I like the fact that school officials must report back to elected bodies. Yet a retired dentist forces a school district to distribute quack information to all students... is that what the public oversight role of school boards is supposed to be? The fact that the information was derived, at least in part, from a scientology front group is determined by this once licensed professional to be 'irrelevant'. Really? Suppose I write a flyer citing data from candy manufacturers that sugar really is not bad for dental health. I wonder if Dr. Daniels would find that data 'relevant'. Dr. Daniels, would you mind providing us even one legitimate source for your concern? - Bill H. - Virginia Beach
Testing / Please tell me - Please tell me, if you are qualified. What is the test or the series of test that diagnose ADHD? I have tried to find this information but no luck. A clinical social worker and psychiatrist once told me there is no real test. For such a diagnosis affecting so many for so long, I find that hard to believe. There must be some kind of absolute means of testing for this condition. If you can help with this, please respond. Thank you. - joanne j. - portsmouth
About what we are doing to our children... - I find it amazing that Scientology is one of the only groups willing to bring up a viewpoint contrary to the pharmaceutical industry. Based on the comments on this board, at least half of the Hampton Roads area suspects that there is a problem with over-prescription of ADHD drugs. Where is our representation? And I feel pity for those of you who hate other religions/viewpoints so much that you blindly disregard any truth that they associate with. - Amira L. - Virginia Beach
Okay enough is enough - The letter was questionable in judgement and should have been mailed not carried home. My major problem is how people are taking shots at Portsmouth's teachers and schools based on this letter. All teachers work hard - much harder than anyone outside of the profession can ever imagine. If you only judge Portsmouth based on this newspaper than you haven't been to Portsmouth recently - the city has many fine educators, schools and students. If you haven't been in the system please state this in your comments so that the readers can be fully informed. I personally have been working in the system for years and am proud of the process we are making. Base comments on facts not opinions and less on media coverage and more on actual experience - S W. - Virginia Beach
Who's behind ADD? - There is no scientific proof that a condition "ADD" even exists. Try to find any documentation on it. It simply is a made up name to describe "A condition". CHADD is a front group for big Pharma. They have no interest in making sure kids receive proper nutrition, but do have a huge interest in seeing they the get "their Meds". Look at it. The public is duped into thinking these people actually want to help when in fact they actually want kids drugged and made into Zombies. When is enough, enough? - Kimberly S. - ROANOKE
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