The Stimulant Threat

“While studies indicate that the drug is probably only a weak carcinogen, increasing the future risk of millions of children—even a little bit—is not something to be done lightly. Another recent report warns that [the stimulant] ‘may have persistent, cumulative effects on the myocardium’ (the thick muscle layer that forms most of the heart wall).”

Dr. Sydney Walker, III

Author, The Hyperactivity Hoax

In testimony at 1970 Congressional Hearings on whether to fund research into pharmacological (drug) treatment for school problems, Dr. John D. Griffith, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, stated: “I would like to point out that every drug, however innocuous, has some degree of toxicity. A drug, therefore, is a type of poison and its poisonous qualities must be carefully weighed against its therapeutic usefulness. A problem, now being considered in most of the capitols of the Free World, is whether the benefits derived from amphetamines outweigh their toxicity. It is the consensus of the World Scientific Literature that the amphetamines are of very little benefit to mankind. They are, however, quite toxic.”
“Studies of the drugs used to treat ADHD illustrates how misleading it can be to draw conclusions about the cause of a disorder from a treatment just because it may be effective in ameliorating symptoms,” said Dr. Elliot Valenstein. In fact, the psychiatric drugs used for “ADHD” can decrease activity and increase attention span even in “normal” children, according to one U.S. National Institute of Mental Health study.
According to the Physician’s Desk Reference Guide, increased heart rate and blood pressure can result from the use of the major stimulant drug used to “treat” ADHD.
Suicide is a major complication of withdrawal from this stimulant and similar amphetamine-like drugs.
A study published in Science Journal in 1999, noted: “The mechanism by which psychostimulants act as calming agents in humans with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or hyperkinetic disorder is currently unknown.”
In 2000, The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry reported, “it is well known that psychostimulants have abuse potential. Very high doses of psychostimulants…may cause central nervous system damage, cardiovascular damage, and hypertension. In addition, high doses have been associated with compulsive behaviors, and in certain vulnerable individuals, movement disorders. A very small percentage of children and adults treated at high doses have hallucinogenic responses.”
Drugs other than psychostimulants that are used for ADHD, have their own adverse reactions: tricyclic antidepressants may induce cardiac arrhythmias, buproprion at high doses can cause seizures, and pemoline is associated with liver damage.
A 2001 newsletter to Doctors for Disaster Preparedness says, “In one study, six of 98 children treated for ADHD with stimulants developed psychotic symptoms.”
The FDA has reported, “A total of 4,400 health-related complaints of adverse reactions to methylphenidate, the main drug prescribed for ADHD, have been received since 1969. Thirty percent of those—more than 1,300 complaints—were reported in the last 15 months, including complaints of convulsions and tics, drug dependence, heart ailments, and death.”

CCHR What we Believe

Drugging Our Children

RECOGNITION OF CCHR

CCHR's humanitarian work has been recognised the world over for ensuring legal rights and protections for consumers and/or their families. Read more...

DRUG WARNINGS

CCHR led the fight for informed consent to psychiatric treatment, obtaining the first law in South Australia in 1979 that granted patients the right to consent to or refuse electroshock treatment. In recent years, it has filed numerous requests to the Therapeutic Goods Administration to reveal all the adverse drug reactions for psychotropic drugs reported to it. Click here to read more

DRUG SIDE EFFECTS

No matter what country someone is prescribed a psychiatric drug, the side effects are the same: dangerous, sometimes life-threatening, but always debilitating. CCHR International in Los Angeles decoded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration psychotropic drug reports database to produce this drug side effects search engine for consumers. This is also relevant to all Australians. You can also view a selection of ADHD drug reactions including Ritalin, Concerta, Dexamphetamine & Strattera obtained by CCHR.

Psychiatric Drugs

An Australian Report Titled, Psychiatric Drugs and Violence documents how Antidepressants and Antipsychotics can Cause Violence.
The report was written as Australians are not adequately warned that psychiatric drugs can cause homicidal actions and thoughts....

Click to Download