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The Ethical Dilemma Of Prescribing Stimulants To Healthy Children

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http://media.soundmedicine.org/segments/040713_1.mp3

According to the federally funded Monitoring the Future Survey, about 5-6% of high school students are taking stimulant prescription drugs to study and do better on tests. Stimulants are drugs that are commonly prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), such as Ritalin and Adderall. When these drugs are taken by people who don’t medically need them, they are referred to as neuroenhancers. William Graff, M.D. is the author of an article that looks at the ethical dilemma of prescribing stimulants to healthy children. According to Dr. Graff there are studies that show these drugs don’t work for healthy children, and can actually cause severe side effects. Side effects include cardiovascular risks, anxiety, sleeplessness, and changes in mood. Dr. Graff is a professor of pediatrics and neurology at the Yale School of medicine.