hi everybody thank you for having me when I was an investigative reporter for
when I was an investigative reporter for
when I was an investigative reporter for the New York Times in 2012 I actually
the New York Times in 2012 I actually
the New York Times in 2012 I actually was a sports writer but I started
was a sports writer but I started
was a sports writer but I started hearing voices one of them said I got a
hearing voices one of them said I got a
hearing voices one of them said I got a 95 on the paper it just solidified the
95 on the paper it just solidified the
95 on the paper it just solidified the drug use for me and made it seem
drug use for me and made it seem
drug use for me and made it seem completely okay I would say things to
completely okay I would say things to
completely okay I would say things to myself like it actually made me better I
myself like it actually made me better I
myself like it actually made me better I actually needed
actually needed
actually needed I need adderall for school and then
I need adderall for school and then
I need adderall for school and then there was the next one when people take
there was the next one when people take
there was the next one when people take tests it’s always Who am I getting at or
tests it’s always Who am I getting at or
tests it’s always Who am I getting at or all from
all from
all from they’re always looking for it that was
they’re always looking for it that was
they’re always looking for it that was somebody who was dealing adderall then
somebody who was dealing adderall then
somebody who was dealing adderall then right before everybody took the PSAT is
right before everybody took the PSAT is
right before everybody took the PSAT is a bunch of kids went to the bathroom to
a bunch of kids went to the bathroom to
a bunch of kids went to the bathroom to snort their Addie’s these are high
snort their Addie’s these are high
snort their Addie’s these are high school kids that was a kid from Lower
school kids that was a kid from Lower
school kids that was a kid from Lower Merion High School not unlike this one
Merion High School not unlike this one
Merion High School not unlike this one and then the next one there the a
and then the next one there the a
and then the next one there the a student sometimes the B students who are
student sometimes the B students who are
student sometimes the B students who are trying to get good grades they’re the
trying to get good grades they’re the
trying to get good grades they’re the quote-unquote good kids basically these
quote-unquote good kids basically these
quote-unquote good kids basically these are the voices that were coming to me
are the voices that were coming to me
are the voices that were coming to me from kids kids just like you 15 16 17
from kids kids just like you 15 16 17
from kids kids just like you 15 16 17 year old kids who were taking ADHD
year old kids who were taking ADHD
year old kids who were taking ADHD medications and feta means adderall
medications and feta means adderall
medications and feta means adderall concerta we’ll get into that later in
concerta we’ll get into that later in
concerta we’ll get into that later in order to focus more for school to deal
order to focus more for school to deal
order to focus more for school to deal with the demands that we are placing on
with the demands that we are placing on
with the demands that we are placing on high school students today many of which
high school students today many of which
high school students today many of which are untenable the eight ApS you have to
are untenable the eight ApS you have to
are untenable the eight ApS you have to have community service you have to have
have community service you have to have
have community service you have to have sports you have to have band or chorus
sports you have to have band or chorus
sports you have to have band or chorus you have to do all these things and
you have to do all these things and
you have to do all these things and there are just so many hours in the week
there are just so many hours in the week
there are just so many hours in the week and some kids not all by any means and
and some kids not all by any means and
and some kids not all by any means and it varies but studies show that 10% of
it varies but studies show that 10% of
it varies but studies show that 10% of high school kids in the United States
high school kids in the United States
high school kids in the United States will misuse will use adderall in order
will misuse will use adderall in order
will misuse will use adderall in order to stay up later focus more think
to stay up later focus more think
to stay up later focus more think they’re performing better on tests
they’re performing better on tests
they’re performing better on tests now it’s 10% nationally but at schools
now it’s 10% nationally but at schools
now it’s 10% nationally but at schools high pressure schools like in
high pressure schools like in
high pressure schools like in Westchester County and other private
Westchester County and other private
Westchester County and other private high schools it’s almost certainly more
high schools it’s almost certainly more
high schools it’s almost certainly more and has been shown to be more to the
and has been shown to be more to the
and has been shown to be more to the point where 10% of high school students
point where 10% of high school students
point where 10% of high school students across the United States are using
across the United States are using
across the United States are using adderall for school from because of
adderall for school from because of
adderall for school from because of academic pressure and at schools like
academic pressure and at schools like
academic pressure and at schools like this and I’m not saying this specific
this and I’m not saying this specific
this and I’m not saying this specific school but schools like this Westchester
school but schools like this Westchester
school but schools like this Westchester County nationally it’s almost certainly
County nationally it’s almost certainly
County nationally it’s almost certainly more it varies but it’s almost certainly
more it varies but it’s almost certainly
more it varies but it’s almost certainly more to the point where it becomes a
more to the point where it becomes a
more to the point where it becomes a little bit of a joke where someone like
little bit of a joke where someone like
little bit of a joke where someone like Stephen Colbert feels you know he does a
Stephen Colbert feels you know he does a
Stephen Colbert feels you know he does a whole segment on how this is happening
whole segment on how this is happening
whole segment on how this is happening so even the guy who popularized who
so even the guy who popularized who
so even the guy who popularized who discovered how the use of Ritalin
discovered how the use of Ritalin
discovered how the use of Ritalin Adderall stimulant medications for what
Adderall stimulant medications for what
Adderall stimulant medications for what we now call ADHD this is the guy who
we now call ADHD this is the guy who
we now call ADHD this is the guy who discovered it looks back and says it has
discovered it looks back and says it has
discovered it looks back and says it has become a national disaster of dangerous
become a national disaster of dangerous
become a national disaster of dangerous proportions so you know how did I get
proportions so you know how did I get
proportions so you know how did I get into this well I was just like you I was
into this well I was just like you I was
into this well I was just like you I was just I was at I was a math geek at
just I was at I was a math geek at
just I was at I was a math geek at Scarsdale high school just down the road
Scarsdale high school just down the road
Scarsdale high school just down the road here this is me actually on the
here this is me actually on the
here this is me actually on the Scarsdale high school math team I am
Scarsdale high school math team I am
Scarsdale high school math team I am still a proud card-carrying math geek
still a proud card-carrying math geek
still a proud card-carrying math geek and I became a sports writer though of
and I became a sports writer though of
and I became a sports writer though of all things mainly a baseball writer but
all things mainly a baseball writer but
all things mainly a baseball writer but then I got involved sort of came up with
then I got involved sort of came up with
then I got involved sort of came up with the whole NFL concussion issue which
the whole NFL concussion issue which
the whole NFL concussion issue which obviously everyone has heard of since
obviously everyone has heard of since
obviously everyone has heard of since and I wrote a ton of articles about that
and I wrote a ton of articles about that
and I wrote a ton of articles about that but I still was haunted by the voices
but I still was haunted by the voices
but I still was haunted by the voices that I would hear from time to time from
that I would hear from time to time from
that I would hear from time to time from kids saying that they’re taking an feta
kids saying that they’re taking an feta
kids saying that they’re taking an feta means to deal with academic pressure and
means to deal with academic pressure and
means to deal with academic pressure and dangerous drugs by the way and we’re
dangerous drugs by the way and we’re
dangerous drugs by the way and we’re going to get into that in a minute where
going to get into that in a minute where
going to get into that in a minute where these voices were just I couldn’t let go
these voices were just I couldn’t let go
these voices were just I couldn’t let go and so I left the sports department in
and so I left the sports department in
and so I left the sports department in order to focus
order to focus
order to focus on what very few adults but this adult
on what very few adults but this adult
on what very few adults but this adult at Lower Merion High School did
at Lower Merion High School did
at Lower Merion High School did understand okay he said it’s time for a
understand okay he said it’s time for a
understand okay he said it’s time for a serious wake-up call we need better we
serious wake-up call we need better we
serious wake-up call we need better we need to better understand the pressures
need to better understand the pressures
need to better understand the pressures and temptations and ultimately we need
and temptations and ultimately we need
and temptations and ultimately we need to embrace new definitions of student
to embrace new definitions of student
to embrace new definitions of student success for many families and
success for many families and
success for many families and communities that’s simply not happening
communities that’s simply not happening
communities that’s simply not happening so I wrote I actually ended up writing a
so I wrote I actually ended up writing a
so I wrote I actually ended up writing a book on this phenomenon I came out last
book on this phenomenon I came out last
book on this phenomenon I came out last year but I want to talk about a specific
year but I want to talk about a specific
year but I want to talk about a specific area of the mishandling of ADHD in this
area of the mishandling of ADHD in this
area of the mishandling of ADHD in this country and that’s young people like you
country and that’s young people like you
country and that’s young people like you misusing these danger otherwise
misusing these danger otherwise
misusing these danger otherwise dangerous medications in order to accede
dangerous medications in order to accede
dangerous medications in order to accede to the adults expectations of you so a
to the adults expectations of you so a
to the adults expectations of you so a couple of ground rules first of all ADHD
couple of ground rules first of all ADHD
couple of ground rules first of all ADHD exists we’re not here to debate it okay
exists we’re not here to debate it okay
exists we’re not here to debate it okay and we also know that if you have the
and we also know that if you have the
and we also know that if you have the inattention impulsivity and
inattention impulsivity and
inattention impulsivity and hyperactivity issues that it is a bad
hyperactivity issues that it is a bad
hyperactivity issues that it is a bad thing that is something that can hold
thing that is something that can hold
thing that is something that can hold you back
you back
you back academically socially and ultimately
academically socially and ultimately
academically socially and ultimately professionally and it’s very important
professionally and it’s very important
professionally and it’s very important that frankly if using adderall or
that frankly if using adderall or
that frankly if using adderall or concerta or vyvanse I guarantee you at
concerta or vyvanse I guarantee you at
concerta or vyvanse I guarantee you at least at least eight or ten or more
least at least eight or ten or more
least at least eight or ten or more folks here are taking those medications
folks here are taking those medications
folks here are taking those medications as prescribed god bless you okay they
as prescribed god bless you okay they
as prescribed god bless you okay they could help and they’re not inherently
could help and they’re not inherently
could help and they’re not inherently evil but the thing is is that ADHD right
evil but the thing is is that ADHD right
evil but the thing is is that ADHD right now is being diagnosed in far more
now is being diagnosed in far more
now is being diagnosed in far more children than even the American
children than even the American
children than even the American Psychiatric Association says should be
Psychiatric Association says should be
Psychiatric Association says should be they say it should be about 5% okay 15
they say it should be about 5% okay 15
they say it should be about 5% okay 15 percent of kids in high schools have
percent of kids in high schools have
percent of kids in high schools have been diagnosed with ADHD which means
been diagnosed with ADHD which means
been diagnosed with ADHD which means there’s a lot of pills flying around
there’s a lot of pills flying around
there’s a lot of pills flying around many of which get taken properly many of
many of which get taken properly many of
many of which get taken properly many of which don’t so what are we talking about
which don’t so what are we talking about
which don’t so what are we talking about we’re talking about adderall also known
we’re talking about adderall also known
we’re talking about adderall also known as a DS Ritalin vyvanse can
as a DS Ritalin vyvanse can
as a DS Ritalin vyvanse can Sirte focalin they’re often called study
Sirte focalin they’re often called study
Sirte focalin they’re often called study drugs they’re called smart drugs which
drugs they’re called smart drugs which
drugs they’re called smart drugs which is a misnomer it does not make you smart
is a misnomer it does not make you smart
is a misnomer it does not make you smart okay we’re going to get into that it
okay we’re going to get into that it
okay we’re going to get into that it floods your brain with dopamine you feel
floods your brain with dopamine you feel
floods your brain with dopamine you feel you can feel good by the way this is not
you can feel good by the way this is not
you can feel good by the way this is not an advertisement to use this stuff but
an advertisement to use this stuff but
an advertisement to use this stuff but let’s acknowledge what it does because
let’s acknowledge what it does because
let’s acknowledge what it does because that’s why people are doing it all right
that’s why people are doing it all right
that’s why people are doing it all right it feel it often gives you a feeling it
it feel it often gives you a feeling it
it feel it often gives you a feeling it can give you a feeling of euphoria but
can give you a feeling of euphoria but
can give you a feeling of euphoria but more importantly it can give you energy
more importantly it can give you energy
more importantly it can give you energy it can give you focus it can make you
it can give you focus it can make you
it can give you focus it can make you persist through tedious tasks like you
persist through tedious tasks like you
persist through tedious tasks like you know book full of math problems or doing
know book full of math problems or doing
know book full of math problems or doing a term paper okay you’re late on a term
a term paper okay you’re late on a term
a term paper okay you’re late on a term paper and you got to crank it out
paper and you got to crank it out
paper and you got to crank it out overnight it can give people the feeling
overnight it can give people the feeling
overnight it can give people the feeling that they are performing better now it
that they are performing better now it
that they are performing better now it doesn’t necessarily do that it does not
doesn’t necessarily do that it does not
doesn’t necessarily do that it does not make you smarter and it does not
make you smarter and it does not
make you smarter and it does not increase your memory however it can
increase your memory however it can
increase your memory however it can increase your concentration and the
increase your concentration and the
increase your concentration and the feeling of motivation okay and the
feeling of motivation okay and the
feeling of motivation okay and the effects are significant with people with
effects are significant with people with
effects are significant with people with ADHD but it can also it does not act
ADHD but it can also it does not act
ADHD but it can also it does not act uniquely among people with ADHD it’s
uniquely among people with ADHD it’s
uniquely among people with ADHD it’s something that happens to every human
something that happens to every human
something that happens to every human being is just more evident in people
being is just more evident in people
being is just more evident in people with ADHD but if you respond in a in
with ADHD but if you respond in a in
with ADHD but if you respond in a in this way to adderall it can have the
this way to adderall it can have the
this way to adderall it can have the same effect whether you have ADHD or not
same effect whether you have ADHD or not
same effect whether you have ADHD or not now the reasons for this as I said for
now the reasons for this as I said for
now the reasons for this as I said for the use of these pills in for academic
the use of these pills in for academic
the use of these pills in for academic purposes okay because of academic
purposes okay because of academic
purposes okay because of academic pressure and the expectations what I
pressure and the expectations what I
pressure and the expectations what I would believe would be the unhealthy
would believe would be the unhealthy
would believe would be the unhealthy expectations placed on kids like you I
expectations placed on kids like you I
expectations placed on kids like you I had my taste of it in the mid 80s
had my taste of it in the mid 80s
had my taste of it in the mid 80s it was nothing like what you guys are
it was nothing like what you guys are
it was nothing like what you guys are dealing with now and I have a soft spot
dealing with now and I have a soft spot
dealing with now and I have a soft spot in my heart for what you guys are going
in my heart for what you guys are going
in my heart for what you guys are going through and I’m trying to tell you guys
through and I’m trying to tell you guys
through and I’m trying to tell you guys what awaits if it’s not happening that
what awaits if it’s not happening that
what awaits if it’s not happening that much here now which would be wonderful
much here now which would be wonderful
much here now which would be wonderful it is happening all over the country
it is happening all over the country
it is happening all over the country okay
okay
okay so I’d have a hard time believing it
so I’d have a hard time believing it
so I’d have a hard time believing it weren’t happening it wasn’t happening
weren’t happening it wasn’t happening
weren’t happening it wasn’t happening here but boy are you going to deal with
here but boy are you going to deal with
here but boy are you going to deal with it when you get to college okay
it when you get to college okay
it when you get to college okay now the effects can often be
now the effects can often be
now the effects can often be overestimated you can feel like you’re
overestimated you can feel like you’re
overestimated you can feel like you’re performing better when in fact you’re
performing better when in fact you’re
performing better when in fact you’re not but that’s still part of the
not but that’s still part of the
not but that’s still part of the motivation there’s also the issue that
motivation there’s also the issue that
motivation there’s also the issue that you feel some kids feel like well the
you feel some kids feel like well the
you feel some kids feel like well the kid next to me is doing it and I want to
kid next to me is doing it and I want to
kid next to me is doing it and I want to finish higher in the class than him and
finish higher in the class than him and
finish higher in the class than him and so I need to do it too so people who
so I need to do it too so people who
so I need to do it too so people who would not normally be drawn to misusing
would not normally be drawn to misusing
would not normally be drawn to misusing substances okay might be drawn to this
substances okay might be drawn to this
substances okay might be drawn to this okay
okay
okay and often if you feel like you’re not
and often if you feel like you’re not
and often if you feel like you’re not getting enough sleep and you’re
getting enough sleep and you’re
getting enough sleep and you’re exhausted all the time you might avail
exhausted all the time you might avail
exhausted all the time you might avail yourselves of something that’s you know
yourselves of something that’s you know
yourselves of something that’s you know feels like it gives you more energy
feels like it gives you more energy
feels like it gives you more energy although of course you have the
although of course you have the
although of course you have the inevitable crash and unfortunately a lot
inevitable crash and unfortunately a lot
inevitable crash and unfortunately a lot of kids believe that hey it’s a
of kids believe that hey it’s a
of kids believe that hey it’s a prescription drug you know it’s from a
prescription drug you know it’s from a
prescription drug you know it’s from a doctor how bad can it be
doctor how bad can it be
doctor how bad can it be well it can amphetamines okay
well it can amphetamines okay
well it can amphetamines okay methylphenidate same thing their class
methylphenidate same thing their class
methylphenidate same thing their class two controlled substances okay they’re
two controlled substances okay they’re
two controlled substances okay they’re among the most addictive medications
among the most addictive medications
among the most addictive medications known to man
known to man
known to man okay and they’re federally regulated
okay and they’re federally regulated
okay and they’re federally regulated they are a very big deal so and it’s
they are a very big deal so and it’s
they are a very big deal so and it’s also easily available why is it easily
also easily available why is it easily
also easily available why is it easily available because about 7.5% okay about
available because about 7.5% okay about
available because about 7.5% okay about I’m going to do it in my head now about
I’m going to do it in my head now about
I’m going to do it in my head now about 1 in 13 kids across the United States
1 in 13 kids across the United States
1 in 13 kids across the United States has already prescribed it like I said
has already prescribed it like I said
has already prescribed it like I said that’s a lot of pills flying around ok
that’s a lot of pills flying around ok
that’s a lot of pills flying around ok and 40% of high school students say it’s
and 40% of high school students say it’s
and 40% of high school students say it’s easy to get if I wanted it I could get
easy to get if I wanted it I could get
easy to get if I wanted it I could get it within 15 minutes ok there are kids
it within 15 minutes ok there are kids
it within 15 minutes ok there are kids in this room who have it in their
in this room who have it in their
in this room who have it in their backpack I’m telling you right now and
backpack I’m telling you right now and
backpack I’m telling you right now and you can get it off Craigslist you know
you can get it off Craigslist you know
you can get it off Craigslist you know what they call it on Craigslist study
what they call it on Craigslist study
what they call it on Craigslist study aids can’t put adderall although this
aids can’t put adderall although this
aids can’t put adderall although this picture actually has someone dumb enough
picture actually has someone dumb enough
picture actually has someone dumb enough to put it in there but it’s called study
to put it in there but it’s called study
to put it in there but it’s called study AIDS so it’s available again I’m not
AIDS so it’s available again I’m not
AIDS so it’s available again I’m not saying go out and get it but we have to
saying go out and get it but we have to
saying go out and get it but we have to acknowledge that this is happening now
acknowledge that this is happening now
acknowledge that this is happening now what are the risks of this ok you can
what are the risks of this ok you can
what are the risks of this ok you can give you insult it insomnia it can curb
give you insult it insomnia it can curb
give you insult it insomnia it can curb your appetite in a very unhealthy
your appetite in a very unhealthy
your appetite in a very unhealthy it can affect your heart it has
it can affect your heart it has
it can affect your heart it has psychological risks okay
psychological risks okay
psychological risks okay it can give you terrible anxiety it
it can give you terrible anxiety it
it can give you terrible anxiety it actually you can if you abuse it and
actually you can if you abuse it and
actually you can if you abuse it and even if you don’t but nonetheless if you
even if you don’t but nonetheless if you
even if you don’t but nonetheless if you abuse it and take too much and take too
abuse it and take too much and take too
abuse it and take too much and take too much and take too much you can start
much and take too much you can start
much and take too much you can start hearing and seeing things that aren’t
hearing and seeing things that aren’t
hearing and seeing things that aren’t there you can feel like there are bugs
there you can feel like there are bugs
there you can feel like there are bugs crawling underneath your skin it can be
crawling underneath your skin it can be
crawling underneath your skin it can be very scary stuff
very scary stuff
very scary stuff when misused and it also is a federal
when misused and it also is a federal
when misused and it also is a federal crime to give one pill to a friend you
crime to give one pill to a friend you
crime to give one pill to a friend you can be federally prosecuted ask some
can be federally prosecuted ask some
can be federally prosecuted ask some kids at Columbia about that and then
kids at Columbia about that and then
kids at Columbia about that and then there’s the issue of whether it gives
there’s the issue of whether it gives
there’s the issue of whether it gives you well it lowers your aversion to
you well it lowers your aversion to
you well it lowers your aversion to other substances to other prescription
other substances to other prescription
other substances to other prescription drugs because you’re like hey this thing
drugs because you’re like hey this thing
drugs because you’re like hey this thing is fine when it isn’t but nonetheless
is fine when it isn’t but nonetheless
is fine when it isn’t but nonetheless okay and now here’s Madeline at Bethesda
okay and now here’s Madeline at Bethesda
okay and now here’s Madeline at Bethesda high school she said it wasn’t that hard
high school she said it wasn’t that hard
high school she said it wasn’t that hard of a decision even though of the risk
of a decision even though of the risk
of a decision even though of the risk you know she knew the risks do I want
you know she knew the risks do I want
you know she knew the risks do I want only four hours of sleep and be a mess
only four hours of sleep and be a mess
only four hours of sleep and be a mess and then underperform on the test and
and then underperform on the test and
and then underperform on the test and then in field hockey or make the
then in field hockey or make the
then in field hockey or make the teachers happy and the coach happy and
teachers happy and the coach happy and
teachers happy and the coach happy and get good grades get into a good college
get good grades get into a good college
get good grades get into a good college and make my parents happy notice she
and make my parents happy notice she
and make my parents happy notice she isn’t talking about herself being happy
isn’t talking about herself being happy
isn’t talking about herself being happy she’s talking about pleasing the adults
she’s talking about pleasing the adults
she’s talking about pleasing the adults around her now this is not a new
around her now this is not a new
around her now this is not a new phenomenon in high schools maybe but the
phenomenon in high schools maybe but the
phenomenon in high schools maybe but the use of these medications in academic
use of these medications in academic
use of these medications in academic settings well let’s see cases of
settings well let’s see cases of
settings well let’s see cases of overdosage have been uncovered at the
overdosage have been uncovered at the
overdosage have been uncovered at the universities of Minnesota Wisconsin
universities of Minnesota Wisconsin
universities of Minnesota Wisconsin Chicago cramming for final examinations
Chicago cramming for final examinations
Chicago cramming for final examinations they collapse faint insomnia dangerous
they collapse faint insomnia dangerous
they collapse faint insomnia dangerous After Effects sounds pretty recent was
After Effects sounds pretty recent was
After Effects sounds pretty recent was Time magazine in 1937 two years after
Time magazine in 1937 two years after
Time magazine in 1937 two years after these prescription and fed amines went
these prescription and fed amines went
these prescription and fed amines went on the market two years didn’t take long
on the market two years didn’t take long
on the market two years didn’t take long for people to figure it out now they
for people to figure it out now they
for people to figure it out now they also when they started using these
also when they started using these
also when they started using these medications for kids some of whom would
medications for kids some of whom would
medications for kids some of whom would be diagnosed with ADHD today had a
be diagnosed with ADHD today had a
be diagnosed with ADHD today had a remarkable effect academically one said
remarkable effect academically one said
remarkable effect academically one said one kid these are little kids like 10
one kid these are little kids like 10
one kid these are little kids like 10 year olds I have joy in my stomach I
year olds I have joy in my stomach I
year olds I have joy in my stomach I can’t seem to do things fast enough
can’t seem to do things fast enough
can’t seem to do things fast enough today I start to make my bed and before
today I start to make my bed and before
today I start to make my bed and before I know it it’s
I know it it’s
I know it it’s done one kid called them his arithmetic
done one kid called them his arithmetic
done one kid called them his arithmetic pills
pills
pills all of a sudden kids with terrible
all of a sudden kids with terrible
all of a sudden kids with terrible problems could be helped but the thing
problems could be helped but the thing
problems could be helped but the thing is is it helps it can help any kid okay
is is it helps it can help any kid okay
is is it helps it can help any kid okay and then Keith Connors the man who now
and then Keith Connors the man who now
and then Keith Connors the man who now considers this situation a national
considers this situation a national
considers this situation a national disaster of dangerous proportions he
disaster of dangerous proportions he
disaster of dangerous proportions he said look it energized the kids into
said look it energized the kids into
said look it energized the kids into making use of skills available to them
making use of skills available to them
making use of skills available to them the problem is is the messaging about
the problem is is the messaging about
the problem is is the messaging about this is not good there is very little
this is not good there is very little
this is not good there is very little warning to kids don’t take your friends
warning to kids don’t take your friends
warning to kids don’t take your friends medications your friends ADHD
medications your friends ADHD
medications your friends ADHD medications but the problem is is it’s
medications but the problem is is it’s
medications but the problem is is it’s now advertised as something that’s going
now advertised as something that’s going
now advertised as something that’s going to help you in school
to help you in school
to help you in school finally schoolwork that matches his
finally schoolwork that matches his
finally schoolwork that matches his intelligence from a mom this is a lie
intelligence from a mom this is a lie
intelligence from a mom this is a lie okay every ADHD medication has been
okay every ADHD medication has been
okay every ADHD medication has been flagged from the last like 15 years has
flagged from the last like 15 years has
flagged from the last like 15 years has been flagged by the FDA for false and
been flagged by the FDA for false and
been flagged by the FDA for false and misleading advertising here’s something
misleading advertising here’s something
misleading advertising here’s something where the doctors say oh it’s not these
where the doctors say oh it’s not these
where the doctors say oh it’s not these are doctors who are affiliated with big
are doctors who are affiliated with big
are doctors who are affiliated with big pharma no you know drugs of abuse are
pharma no you know drugs of abuse are
pharma no you know drugs of abuse are used to feel-good medications for ADHD
used to feel-good medications for ADHD
used to feel-good medications for ADHD you feel bad or feel nothing in overdose
you feel bad or feel nothing in overdose
you feel bad or feel nothing in overdose no no no you can get addicted you can
no no no you can get addicted you can
no no no you can get addicted you can have terrible sleep problems appetite
have terrible sleep problems appetite
have terrible sleep problems appetite you know it can really hurt you you can
you know it can really hurt you you can
you know it can really hurt you you can end up terribly addicted end up in rehab
end up terribly addicted end up in rehab
end up terribly addicted end up in rehab and we’re going to hear from some of
and we’re going to hear from some of
and we’re going to hear from some of those kids soon here’s one where a
those kids soon here’s one where a
those kids soon here’s one where a doctor at Harvard of all places who is
doctor at Harvard of all places who is
doctor at Harvard of all places who is accepted millions of dollars from Pharma
accepted millions of dollars from Pharma
accepted millions of dollars from Pharma tells the world
tells the world
tells the world if a child is brilliant but is doing
if a child is brilliant but is doing
if a child is brilliant but is doing just okay in school that child may need
just okay in school that child may need
just okay in school that child may need treatment which would result in his
treatment which would result in his
treatment which would result in his performing brilliantly at school
performing brilliantly at school
performing brilliantly at school complete misrepresentation from a guy at
complete misrepresentation from a guy at
complete misrepresentation from a guy at Harvard okay this is what people are
Harvard okay this is what people are
Harvard okay this is what people are talking about now here’s another example
talking about now here’s another example
talking about now here’s another example okay of false messaging with respect to
okay of false messaging with respect to
okay of false messaging with respect to the dangers of these medications the
the dangers of these medications the
the dangers of these medications the medication itself is pretty innocuous
medication itself is pretty innocuous
medication itself is pretty innocuous it’s not going to do anything for them
it’s not going to do anything for them
it’s not going to do anything for them meaning non ADHD kid
meaning non ADHD kid
meaning non ADHD kid why would they take it what to say that
why would they take it what to say that
why would they take it what to say that like hey maybe a kid as ADHD let’s give
like hey maybe a kid as ADHD let’s give
like hey maybe a kid as ADHD let’s give them some concerta and see if it helps
them some concerta and see if it helps
them some concerta and see if it helps you know that’s like saying let’s try
you know that’s like saying let’s try
you know that’s like saying let’s try let’s give them these platform shoes see
let’s give them these platform shoes see
let’s give them these platform shoes see if he gets taller okay anybody re
if he gets taller okay anybody re
if he gets taller okay anybody re everybody can react the same way to
everybody can react the same way to
everybody can react the same way to these medications and there is just
these medications and there is just
these medications and there is just willful ignorance as it pertains to high
willful ignorance as it pertains to high
willful ignorance as it pertains to high schools across the country okay in 1995
schools across the country okay in 1995
schools across the country okay in 1995 there is no basis for such concerns okay
there is no basis for such concerns okay
there is no basis for such concerns okay 2002 the National Institutes of Mental
2002 the National Institutes of Mental
2002 the National Institutes of Mental Health Director testifying before
Health Director testifying before
Health Director testifying before Congress said our experience has been
Congress said our experience has been
Congress said our experience has been that this abuse is not happening well
that this abuse is not happening well
that this abuse is not happening well guess what I knew it had been happening
guess what I knew it had been happening
guess what I knew it had been happening because when I was exactly your age I
because when I was exactly your age I
because when I was exactly your age I watched NBC on Thursday nights and
watched NBC on Thursday nights and
watched NBC on Thursday nights and watched Family Ties where who here knows
watched Family Ties where who here knows
watched Family Ties where who here knows that family ties oh man you guys got to
that family ties oh man you guys got to
that family ties oh man you guys got to watch great show anyway where Michael J
watch great show anyway where Michael J
watch great show anyway where Michael J Fox was the over-performing high school
Fox was the over-performing high school
Fox was the over-performing high school kid was totally bent on getting into
kid was totally bent on getting into
kid was totally bent on getting into Harvard as you’ll see and he would do
Harvard as you’ll see and he would do
Harvard as you’ll see and he would do anything to get into Harvard and so what
anything to get into Harvard and so what
anything to get into Harvard and so what he did is he got some what was then
he did is he got some what was then
he did is he got some what was then basically adderall let’s see what
basically adderall let’s see what
basically adderall let’s see what happens
happens
happens okay the correct answer is I believe the
okay the correct answer is I believe the
okay the correct answer is I believe the Treaty of Westphalia and if I’m not
Treaty of Westphalia and if I’m not
Treaty of Westphalia and if I’m not mistaken huh the year was 1648 ah right
mistaken huh the year was 1648 ah right
mistaken huh the year was 1648 ah right again this is child’s play
again this is child’s play
again this is child’s play let’s face it I am flawlessly prepared
let’s face it I am flawlessly prepared
let’s face it I am flawlessly prepared for this exam after tomorrow I can just
for this exam after tomorrow I can just
for this exam after tomorrow I can just pick my school Harvard yeah I think I’ll
pick my school Harvard yeah I think I’ll
pick my school Harvard yeah I think I’ll go to Harvard see these are all the me
go to Harvard see these are all the me
go to Harvard see these are all the me in the garbage gone taking my last one
in the garbage gone taking my last one
in the garbage gone taking my last one that is not the point Alex you shouldn’t
that is not the point Alex you shouldn’t
that is not the point Alex you shouldn’t been taking them in the first place no
been taking them in the first place no
been taking them in the first place no matter how much you had to do
matter how much you had to do
matter how much you had to do dad they weren’t they they helped me
dad they weren’t they they helped me
dad they weren’t they they helped me I’ve gotten more done this week than I
I’ve gotten more done this week than I
I’ve gotten more done this week than I ever thought possible you got to admit
ever thought possible you got to admit
ever thought possible you got to admit it dad the stuff works I know what it
it dad the stuff works I know what it
it dad the stuff works I know what it does I use it myself when I was in
does I use it myself when I was in
does I use it myself when I was in school oh okay but how can you get mad
school oh okay but how can you get mad
school oh okay but how can you get mad at me
at me
at me I never oversleep never dubber I’m one
I never oversleep never dubber I’m one
I never oversleep never dubber I’m one of those internal clock radios hey
of those internal clock radios hey
of those internal clock radios hey that’s cause ship in the bag blew it
that’s cause ship in the bag blew it
that’s cause ship in the bag blew it speed is like that Alex it’ll keep you
speed is like that Alex it’ll keep you
speed is like that Alex it’ll keep you up for a while when you crash crash hard
up for a while when you crash crash hard
up for a while when you crash crash hard I can handle it that was 1983 and yet
I can handle it that was 1983 and yet
I can handle it that was 1983 and yet people still wonder people are like well
people still wonder people are like well
people still wonder people are like well I didn’t know this happened in high
I didn’t know this happened in high
I didn’t know this happened in high schools okay well guess what if it’s not
schools okay well guess what if it’s not
schools okay well guess what if it’s not happening here you’re going to be hit
happening here you’re going to be hit
happening here you’re going to be hit square in the face with it in college
square in the face with it in college
square in the face with it in college I’m telling you right now okay here’s a
I’m telling you right now okay here’s a
I’m telling you right now okay here’s a Today Show segment that I helped with
Today Show segment that I helped with
Today Show segment that I helped with last September where they talk to kids
last September where they talk to kids
last September where they talk to kids at Boston College already the people
at Boston College already the people
at Boston College already the people that I know are taking it everywhere
that I know are taking it everywhere
that I know are taking it everywhere personally in my social circle it’s
personally in my social circle it’s
personally in my social circle it’s literally every one every one every
literally every one every one every
literally every one every one every single person you can go up to the
single person you can go up to the
single person you can go up to the second floor of the library and see you
second floor of the library and see you
second floor of the library and see you know a full wing of people just cracked
know a full wing of people just cracked
know a full wing of people just cracked up there are people like doing lines of
up there are people like doing lines of
up there are people like doing lines of adderall and the library was yeah yes
adderall and the library was yeah yes
adderall and the library was yeah yes I’ve seen it multiple times is it openly
I’ve seen it multiple times is it openly
I’ve seen it multiple times is it openly in the library yes yeah people will blow
in the library yes yeah people will blow
in the library yes yeah people will blow lines down of just that all in the
lines down of just that all in the
lines down of just that all in the library in the library all right now
library in the library all right now
library in the library all right now this is it’s almost become a joke
this is it’s almost become a joke
this is it’s almost become a joke snorting and feta means has almost
snorting and feta means has almost
snorting and feta means has almost become a joke because
become a joke because
become a joke because nobody is educating you there are a lot
nobody is educating you there are a lot
nobody is educating you there are a lot of good kids here his who would not
of good kids here his who would not
of good kids here his who would not otherwise misuse substances they
otherwise misuse substances they
otherwise misuse substances they wouldn’t smoke pot they wouldn’t drink
wouldn’t smoke pot they wouldn’t drink
wouldn’t smoke pot they wouldn’t drink alcohol they wouldn’t mess with other
alcohol they wouldn’t mess with other
alcohol they wouldn’t mess with other mind-altering substances but here
mind-altering substances but here
mind-altering substances but here there’s the feeling that it’s just going
there’s the feeling that it’s just going
there’s the feeling that it’s just going to help me in school so what the heck
to help me in school so what the heck
to help me in school so what the heck again the effects of this stuff have
again the effects of this stuff have
again the effects of this stuff have been wire wildly overplayed and some
been wire wildly overplayed and some
been wire wildly overplayed and some might even accuse me of doing it now but
might even accuse me of doing it now but
might even accuse me of doing it now but the temptation is there and the
the temptation is there and the
the temptation is there and the phenomenon is there there’s another one
phenomenon is there there’s another one
phenomenon is there there’s another one these are t-shirts to the point where
these are t-shirts to the point where
these are t-shirts to the point where students now advocate the use of these
students now advocate the use of these
students now advocate the use of these things
things
things the Miami hurricane okay had a kid who
the Miami hurricane okay had a kid who
the Miami hurricane okay had a kid who just openly said kids do it hey what the
just openly said kids do it hey what the
just openly said kids do it hey what the hell it’s not going to hurt you and what
hell it’s not going to hurt you and what
hell it’s not going to hurt you and what how did the university respond the
how did the university respond the
how did the university respond the publication does not represent the views
publication does not represent the views
publication does not represent the views and opinions of the University’s
and opinions of the University’s
and opinions of the University’s trustees faculty or administration that
trustees faculty or administration that
trustees faculty or administration that was their response in an educational
was their response in an educational
was their response in an educational setting people are asleep at the switch
setting people are asleep at the switch
setting people are asleep at the switch when it comes to this problem because
when it comes to this problem because
when it comes to this problem because kids feel like they have to become what
kids feel like they have to become what
kids feel like they have to become what their parents and what the adults around
their parents and what the adults around
their parents and what the adults around them want them to become instead of
them want them to become instead of
them want them to become instead of themselves they feel like I have to get
themselves they feel like I have to get
themselves they feel like I have to get into certain school I have to perform
into certain school I have to perform
into certain school I have to perform this way I have to take eight APs and
this way I have to take eight APs and
this way I have to take eight APs and striving is fine okay here’s a kid from
striving is fine okay here’s a kid from
striving is fine okay here’s a kid from McLane High School in Virginia no one
McLane High School in Virginia no one
McLane High School in Virginia no one seems to think that it’s a real thing
seems to think that it’s a real thing
seems to think that it’s a real thing adults on the outside looking in the
adults on the outside looking in the
adults on the outside looking in the other kids in rehab with me didn’t think
other kids in rehab with me didn’t think
other kids in rehab with me didn’t think we were addict because adderall isn’t a
we were addict because adderall isn’t a
we were addict because adderall isn’t a real drug it’s so underestimated this
real drug it’s so underestimated this
real drug it’s so underestimated this was a kid who started taking so much
was a kid who started taking so much
was a kid who started taking so much that his heart just about beat out of
that his heart just about beat out of
that his heart just about beat out of his chest and he was run to the
his chest and he was run to the
his chest and he was run to the emergency room okay emergency room
emergency room okay emergency room
emergency room okay emergency room visits because of because of amphetamine
visits because of because of amphetamine
visits because of because of amphetamine overdose have tripled in about the last
overdose have tripled in about the last
overdose have tripled in about the last 10 years tripled this is serious stuff
10 years tripled this is serious stuff
10 years tripled this is serious stuff you know the thing is is that as much as
you know the thing is is that as much as
you know the thing is is that as much as I’ve tried to educate / scare you here
I’ve tried to educate / scare you here
I’ve tried to educate / scare you here the reason this is an issue and the
the reason this is an issue and the
the reason this is an issue and the reason you haven’t been told that this
reason you haven’t been told that this
reason you haven’t been told that this is a dangerous activity is because
is a dangerous activity is because
is a dangerous activity is because believe it or not adderall abuse is not
believe it or not adderall abuse is not
believe it or not adderall abuse is not dangerous enough if it were to the point
dangerous enough if it were to the point
dangerous enough if it were to the point where kids were OD’ing and dying we
where kids were OD’ing and dying we
where kids were OD’ing and dying we would know already everyone would know
would know already everyone would know
would know already everyone would know but this is a silent problem because
but this is a silent problem because
but this is a silent problem because when the kids get into trouble they get
when the kids get into trouble they get
when the kids get into trouble they get in trouble with other substances or
in trouble with other substances or
in trouble with other substances or sometimes it doesn’t seem to hurt them
sometimes it doesn’t seem to hurt them
sometimes it doesn’t seem to hurt them and but it is unbelievably dangerous and
and but it is unbelievably dangerous and
and but it is unbelievably dangerous and we need to understand the motivations to
we need to understand the motivations to
we need to understand the motivations to the point where kids will just go to
the point where kids will just go to
the point where kids will just go to their doctors and say if you don’t give
their doctors and say if you don’t give
their doctors and say if you don’t give me the prescription I’ll just get it
me the prescription I’ll just get it
me the prescription I’ll just get it from kids at school and we’re not doing
from kids at school and we’re not doing
from kids at school and we’re not doing enough to tell kids because they can get
enough to tell kids because they can get
enough to tell kids because they can get away with it they can get away with it
away with it they can get away with it
away with it they can get away with it there’s no way you’d notice this is a
there’s no way you’d notice this is a
there’s no way you’d notice this is a kid at Ardsley high school talking to
kid at Ardsley high school talking to
kid at Ardsley high school talking to his mom okay I was there he said there’s
his mom okay I was there he said there’s
his mom okay I was there he said there’s no way you’d notice that’s why so many
no way you’d notice that’s why so many
no way you’d notice that’s why so many kids are doing it I could say I’m going
kids are doing it I could say I’m going
kids are doing it I could say I’m going out for a run call someone I know who
out for a run call someone I know who
out for a run call someone I know who does it get some pills from them you
does it get some pills from them you
does it get some pills from them you know take take come home and work just
know take take come home and work just
know take take come home and work just do it you just be glad that I was
do it you just be glad that I was
do it you just be glad that I was studying hard and so these are the
studying hard and so these are the
studying hard and so these are the voices I’m trying to tell you that I
voices I’m trying to tell you that I
voices I’m trying to tell you that I mean some people will accuse me now of
mean some people will accuse me now of
mean some people will accuse me now of advertising as I’ve said the use of
advertising as I’ve said the use of
advertising as I’ve said the use of these things I’m not I think we have to
these things I’m not I think we have to
these things I’m not I think we have to acknowledge that this is an issue a
acknowledge that this is an issue a
acknowledge that this is an issue a serious issue in high schools
serious issue in high schools
serious issue in high schools particularly high pressure high schools
particularly high pressure high schools
particularly high pressure high schools like the one I went to like the one
like the one I went to like the one
like the one I went to like the one you’re at and like many across the
you’re at and like many across the
you’re at and like many across the country where kids are so hyper
country where kids are so hyper
country where kids are so hyper motivated to do anything they can up to
motivated to do anything they can up to
motivated to do anything they can up to including blowing lines of adderall
including blowing lines of adderall
including blowing lines of adderall before the SATs these are the voices I
before the SATs these are the voices I
before the SATs these are the voices I wanted you to hear them what can we do
wanted you to hear them what can we do
wanted you to hear them what can we do about this we have to acknowledge the
about this we have to acknowledge the
about this we have to acknowledge the situation we should not denigrate ADHD
situation we should not denigrate ADHD
situation we should not denigrate ADHD or the pills I don’t blame the pills for
or the pills I don’t blame the pills for
or the pills I don’t blame the pills for human
human
human beings misuse of them the pills are
beings misuse of them the pills are
beings misuse of them the pills are actually quite good for people who
actually quite good for people who
actually quite good for people who choose to take them for their
choose to take them for their
choose to take them for their appropriately diagnosed ADHD and that’s
appropriately diagnosed ADHD and that’s
appropriately diagnosed ADHD and that’s great not unlike how oxycontin can be
great not unlike how oxycontin can be
great not unlike how oxycontin can be very good for people in serious pain
very good for people in serious pain
very good for people in serious pain however for people not in serious pain
however for people not in serious pain
however for people not in serious pain it’s unbelievably dangerous to mess with
it’s unbelievably dangerous to mess with
it’s unbelievably dangerous to mess with okay we have to educate guys like you
okay we have to educate guys like you
okay we have to educate guys like you and educate your parents so that they
and educate your parents so that they
and educate your parents so that they can pick up on signs that their kid is
can pick up on signs that their kid is
can pick up on signs that their kid is so stressed out that he’s taking in
so stressed out that he’s taking in
so stressed out that he’s taking in fetta means to deal with it okay you
fetta means to deal with it okay you
fetta means to deal with it okay you can’t you know the parents frankly have
can’t you know the parents frankly have
can’t you know the parents frankly have to be ready for a kid who’s sixteen or
to be ready for a kid who’s sixteen or
to be ready for a kid who’s sixteen or seventeen is like I can’t really
seventeen is like I can’t really
seventeen is like I can’t really concentrate I might have ADHD you bring
concentrate I might have ADHD you bring
concentrate I might have ADHD you bring them to the doctor the doctor just you
them to the doctor the doctor just you
them to the doctor the doctor just you know just diagnoses you and prescribes
know just diagnoses you and prescribes
know just diagnoses you and prescribes you parents need to be on the lookout
you parents need to be on the lookout
you parents need to be on the lookout for that okay and then for a kid who is
for that okay and then for a kid who is
for that okay and then for a kid who is appropriately diagnosed and has a
appropriately diagnosed and has a
appropriately diagnosed and has a prescription you have to make sure that
prescription you have to make sure that
prescription you have to make sure that the kid particularly high school kid
the kid particularly high school kid
the kid particularly high school kid does not control the medication does not
does not control the medication does not
does not control the medication does not take it to school and when it’s at home
take it to school and when it’s at home
take it to school and when it’s at home is even if a kid isn’t misusing it you
is even if a kid isn’t misusing it you
is even if a kid isn’t misusing it you got to lock it up you have to lock up
got to lock it up you have to lock up
got to lock it up you have to lock up medications like this because people
medications like this because people
medications like this because people steal it lots of people I know have
steal it lots of people I know have
steal it lots of people I know have stolen it okay and one thing I want to
stolen it okay and one thing I want to
stolen it okay and one thing I want to tell you is that this isn’t your fault
tell you is that this isn’t your fault
tell you is that this isn’t your fault the kids who are here doing this or
the kids who are here doing this or
the kids who are here doing this or tempted to do it or will be darned well
tempted to do it or will be darned well
tempted to do it or will be darned well tempted and will do it in college it’s
tempted and will do it in college it’s
tempted and will do it in college it’s not your fault it’s our fault it’s the
not your fault it’s our fault it’s the
not your fault it’s our fault it’s the grown-ups fault because we are giving
grown-ups fault because we are giving
grown-ups fault because we are giving you the impression that failure is not
you the impression that failure is not
you the impression that failure is not an option who here has heard that it’s a
an option who here has heard that it’s a
an option who here has heard that it’s a joke you guys are going to fail a lot
joke you guys are going to fail a lot
joke you guys are going to fail a lot okay and I’ll tell you something if
okay and I’ll tell you something if
okay and I’ll tell you something if average is not good enough anymore a lot
average is not good enough anymore a lot
average is not good enough anymore a lot of us two-thirds of us are in big
of us two-thirds of us are in big
of us two-thirds of us are in big trouble so I want to thank you and good
trouble so I want to thank you and good
trouble so I want to thank you and good luck
”
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