Air Date: Tuesday, May 4, 2004
High Achievers
It's a dangerous drug taken by teens, whom want that competitive edge. Tonight we take a look at what Massachusetts kids are risking to become "High Achievers".
Your son has a test and needs to study all night. Your daughter has a track meet and wants to go the distance and their friends say they have the perfect "pick me up".
Derek Gambale, Former Ritalin Abuser
"You feel really up. Your heart is just racing and you're full of energy."
He's not talking about speed or cocaine. But the prescription medication Ritalin, the same drug used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder. It's now being passed around like candy at high schools throughout Massachusetts.
Kids crush the pills and snort them to achieve a high and a performance boost.
Dr. Timothy Wilens, Mass General Hospital
"They're doing it to help them academically."
Dr. Timothy Wilens of Mass General Hospital worries about the number of kids abusing Ritalin. His study, released today, finds one in ten children are selling their Ritalin medication. One in five are abusing their own prescription.
Dr. Timothy Wilens, Mass General Hospital
"It's becoming cool. Kids know that other kids are doing it and they want to try it."
Derek Gambale of Chelmsford was prescribed the drug for his add when he was twelve. He started upping his dosage to help with homework and writing songs for his band.
Derek Gambale, Former Ritalin Abuser
"I wrote some really good songs when I was on it."
But after a while, his high started making him feel pretty low.
Derek Gambale, Former Ritalin Abuser
"I couldn't go to sleep. I stayed up for three, four days and I'd keep on taking more and more. And I'd have hallucinations. I thought I was going to die."
And he could of. Doctors say Ritalin abuse can lead to medical emergencies and cause permanent damage to the brain, lungs and heart.
Dr. Timothy Wilens, Mass General Hospital
"It may cause what we call arrhythmias or an abnormal beating of the heart. And that may lead to serious consequences like death."
Kids, however, think because it's legal, it must be safe.
Blair Stevens, 18 Years Old
"I've never been told there are any negative health risks at all to it."
High school students Blair and Stephanie don't abuse Ritalin themselves, but say other kids at their school do it all the time.
Stephanie Sherman, 17 Years Old
"It's very common and it's very mainstream and it's not a big deal to anyone."
Stephanie takes it for ADHD and says she's often asked if she'll sell her extra pills.
Stephanie Sherman, 17 Years Old
"People offer me $10 a pill, $5 a pill."
Blair Stevens, 18 Years Old
"If you need money, it's one of the easiest ways to make it at our school."
Dr. Kishore of the National Library of Addictions says Ritalin abusers can be good students, making their addiction hard to spot at first.
Dr. P.S. Kishore, National Library of Addictions
"Usually the family has no clue. The kid, who is the high performer all his or her life, suddenly flunks out."
After a hard withdrawal, Derek's now in recovery and he wants to warn other kids, who think recreational Ritalin is "no big deal."
Derek Gambale, Former Ritalin Abuser
"Don't do it. It's not worth the risk. You might die. You might mess up your body, destroy your heart, destroy your life."
For him and many others, a drug they thought would help them perform has become a prescription for addiction.
Doctors say one method to curb Ritalin abuse can be found in the newer, extended release tablets, which can't be crushed up and snorted... and don't give kids the same high feeling.
For more information on Ritalin Abuse:
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