Source: Betsy Z. Russell,
Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA 02/03/99
Drug-free Schools: Rep. John Campbell, R
- Sandpoint, has written a bill to make it a felony to prescribe Ritalin
to anyone under age 18. The penalty would be up to life in prison and/or
a $25,000 fine. He prescribes a half-hour of calisthenics to calm
hyperactive children.
CRITICS SCOFF AT CAMPBELL'S PROPOSED
ALTERNATIVE: CALISTHENICS
BOISE -- Rep. John Campbell has an idea
on how to fight the meth-amphetamine problem -- ban the use of Ritalin
for kids.
"If we can take the cigarettes out
of the schools, why can't we take the amphetamines of there?" asked
Campbell, R - Sandpoint.
The semi-retired fishing tackle
manufacturer and second-term legislator said schools could start their
days with "a half-hour of calisthenics" to deal with
hyperactive children. "I think we can get more creative than just
doping them down," he said.
His comments drew a surprised reaction
from medical practitioners. Campbell has written a bill to make it a
felony to prescribe methylphenidate - the generic name for Ritalin - to
anyone under age 18. He figures his proposal fits right in with Gov.
Dirk Kempthorne's push to fight methamphetamine, a strong illegal
stimulant that's often cooked up in illicit labs that police
increasingly are finding set up in homes across the state.
Ritalin, unlike methamphetamine, is
legal. It's classified as having a "legitimate medical
purpose" and is available by prescription according to the state
Board of Pharmacy. The drug is often prescribed for children diagnosed
with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Though Ritalin is a
stimulant, it has the opposite effect in hyperactive children, creating
a calming effect.
Told of Campbell's proposal, Coeur
d'Alene School District school psychologist Linda Powell said, "Oh,
dear. I have never seen a research study that correlates calisthenics
with improved attention in school, " Powell said.
As recently as 1995, Idaho had the
highest per-capita use of Ritalin in the nation; but that's dropped in
recent years.
Senator Jack Riggs, R - Coeur d' Alene, a
physician, said doctors should decide what medications are most
appropriate for their patients.
Source: Betsy Z. Russell,
Spokesman-Review, Spokane, WA 02/03/99
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