Lawsuits Over Ritalin Use

* “Detour for Ritalin Issue” (editorial, Oct. 27) states in part: “Part of the problem with Ritalin use, or overuse, is that the definition of ADHD is ambiguous.” You also conclude that the matter “belongs in the laboratories of science not the halls of justice”--referring to the recent lawsuits in California and New Jersey.

When you get to looking at the facts closely, you might consider the possibility of another opinion on this matter. It is the purported science that has saddled us with the said ambiguities. The mounting body of evidence suggests that we are dealing here not with science but with scientific fraud. Though this statement will surely be disputed, the actual question is, has there been fraud, and a massive one, or possibly not? As such, the issue belongs to the courts and nowhere else.

W. PAUL TABAKA

Glendale

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As a parent I have only four concerns regarding treatment of an ADHD child: Is the diagnosis valid; what is the best action to take; if medication is appropriate, what are the risks; and what are the risks if appropriate medication is not used?

We will never know everything about Ritalin, but it has been studied a lot. It has been around as a prescription drug for about 50 years (that’s a lot more than “over a decade”). The risks are documented.

In my lay opinion the double blind Ritalin/placebo test is the diagnostic “gold standard.” Unfortunately the medical and psychiatric professions accept behavior checklists as an alternative. The White House and Congress should call for standardization on the best diagnostic tools, but they should not be making decisions on the level of use for Ritalin or any other medication.

PAUL W. HENNINGER

Lake Forest