Instead of Fixing “Inadequate Schools,” Adderall Is Prescribed to “Struggling” Students

RocafortAmandaAndSonQuintn2012-10-12.jpg “Amanda Rocafort and her son Quintn in Woodstock, Ga. Quintn takes the medication Risperdal.” Source of caption and photo: online version of the NYT article quoted and cited below.

(p. A1) CANTON, Ga. — When Dr. Michael Anderson hears about his low-income patients struggling in elementary school, he usually gives them a taste of some powerful medicine: Adderall.

The pills boost focus and impulse control in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Although A.D.H.D is the diagnosis Dr. Anderson makes, he calls the disorder “made up” and “an excuse” to prescribe the pills to treat what he considers the children’s true ill — poor academic performance in inadequate schools.

For the full story, see:
ALAN SCHWARZ. “Attention Disorder or Not, Pills to Help in School.” The New York Times (Tues., October 9, 2012): A1 & A18.

One thought on “Instead of Fixing “Inadequate Schools,” Adderall Is Prescribed to “Struggling” Students”

  1. This is very dangerous and this doctor is acting completely irresponsibly. Are these students supposed to take Adderall for their entire lives or just until they pass American History class?
    Why not prescribe steroids for under performing children in sports?

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