ical dependence upon a medication is an addiction to something that is almost always not necessary, especially when Ritalin with its unknown effects is used as a tool by impatient parents.In addition, the illegal side effect of abuse is also a rising problem. Classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, Ritalin comes under strict regulations and quotas from the federal government dictating the amount of the drug that can be manufactured. Over the past several years, as ADD diagnoses increased, the manufacturing amounts have not increased sufficiently to allow for the increased demand. This has led to scattered and regional shortages of Ritalin. A diversion of drugs into the illegal street drug trade increases the shortages of the drug for legitimate medical purposes, (Romano, 10).Abusing the drug usually takes place by snorting or injecting Ritalin into the body which stimulates cocaine-like effects along with an armful of unwanted symptoms that invade normal biological processes (Bailey, 4). Intravenous use of Ritalin as Bailey explains, exposes the body to many dust particles and even smaller bacteria that can attach to the needle, flow straight into the blood, and contaminate the circulatory system, (4). Snorting Ritalin, which is more common, harms the body just as much as does intravenous abuse. Ritalin tablets contain hydrochloride salt which produces dilute hydrochloric acid when it comes into contact with moisture; once inside the nasal passages, the acid burns the tender nasal tissues which controls the olfactory sense in the body, (Bailey, 5). The price that some people pay to damage their bodies expresses the lack of common sense that abusers have. In the illicit street drug market, tablets usually cost between three to fifteen dollars for a tablet that is no larger than a tic tac in size. As ADD diagnosis increases, doctors’ demand for Ritalin increases to distribute to the patient; however, due to gover...
