-----Original Message-----
From: CHADD_NEWS [mailto:listadmin@...]
Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2004 3:35 PM
To: chaddnews@...
Subject: MEDIA REPORTS OF AD/HD RX MEDICATION ABUSE CREATE CONFUSION
ABOUT SERIOUSNESS OF DISORDER



News from CHADD
Volume 4, Number 31
November 16, 2004


MEDIA REPORTS OF AD/HD RX MEDICATION ABUSE CREATE CONFUSION ABOUT
SERIOUSNESS OF DISORDER



Television programs and evening news broadcasts-from "Desperate
Housewives" to "World News Tonight with Peter Jennings" to "Fox
News"-have recently featured sensational storylines and unsubstantiated
abuse statistics about the misuse of medications designed to treat
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) by people for whom
these medications are not prescribed.


CHADD is concerned that these depictions create great confusion among
the general public with regard to the seriousness of AD/HD and the
proven safety and efficacy of these medications when properly
administered.


Stimulant medications do have the potential for abuse by anyone, which
is why the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency has "placed stringent controls
on their manufacture, distribution and prescription," according to the
National Institute on Drug Abuse. CHADD emphasizes the importance of
working closely with the medical community to diagnose and treat mental
disorders, including following physician directives regarding the
administration of stimulant medication. In addition, CHADD's 16,000
family members are concerned with the diversion and misuse of
medications.


Medication, under the prescription of a treating medical professional
and when taken as prescribed, along with other non-medication
interventions, provide the most effective foundation for the treatment
of AD/HD. For more information on CHADD's approach to the diagnosis and
treatment of AD/HD, please refer to CHADD's Fact Sheets at
http://www.chadd.org/webpage.cfm?cat_id=24.


AD/HD is characterized by developmentally inappropriate impulsivity,
attention and in some cases, hyperactivity. It is a neurobiological
disorder that affects 3-5 percent of school-age children. Until
recently, most people believed that children outgrew AD/HD in
adolescence, perhaps because hyperactivity often diminishes during this
time. Research demonstrates that many symptoms continue into adulthood.
Recent studies reflect rates of roughly 2-4 percent among adults.


AD/HD is the current diagnostic label for a condition that has been
recognized and studied for more than a century. Over the years it has
been called several other names including "brain damaged syndrome,"
"minimal brain dysfunction (MBD)," "hyperkinetic impulsive disorder" and
"attention deficit disorder."


With more than 16,000 members and 200 affiliates nationwide, CHADD works
to improve the lives of people affected by AD/HD through collaborative
leadership, advocacy, research, education and support: CHADD CARES.

News From CHADD is a free electronic newsletter providing the latest federal
action alerts, legislative and policy updates, and CHADD press releases.

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online ( http://www.chadd.org) or via mail.

Make checks payable to:
CHADD
8181 Professional Place, Suite 150,
Landover, MD 20785

or through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC #2555)
Thank you.
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