7-18-01

MSNBC is running a poll on whether or not teachers and other school 
personnel
should be allowed to recommend Ritalin or Prozac or any other drug 
like this.
I encourage you to go to the following web address and cast your 
vote.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/601616.asp#BODY

This is the same issue that took me to Colorado at the invitation of 
the
Colorado State School Board nearly two years ago. They held 
hearings to
discuss the drugs because of Columbine tragedy. They wanted to set 
an example
for the rest of the country since they suffered so greatly as a result 
of
students on these drugs in the Columbine massacre.

The result of that meeting was that the Colorado State School Board
overwhelmingly passed a resolution warning parents and teachers 
about the
effects of these drugs and recommending that teachers teach and 
allow doctors
to do the medicating.

Several states have looked and are currently looking into this issue. 
In
February I testified to the Arizona State House and Senate on this 
same
issue. How wonderful that Connecticut is leading the way now with 
this new
law!

Between 1995 and 1999 while the use of Ritalin increased in 
children 6 and
under by 23%, the Prozac family of drugs increased in use by 580% in 
that
same age group!!!! I know of few things that should serve as a greater
embarrassment to this country. What this says about us as a nation 
is
unspeakable! To allow this widespread drugging with mind altering 
chemicals
to happen to our children, who are our future, is unconscionable! I 
fear the
damage will cost us far beyond what resources we have to repair the 
damage. I
can only pray it will soon end.

Dr. Ann Blake Tracy, Executive Director,
International Coalition For Drug Awareness
www.drugawareness.org and author of
Prozac: Panacea or Pandora? (800-280-0730)