Mary Eberstadt

Ritalin is a stimulant drug that is commonly prescribed to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD). In the following viewpoint, Mary Eberstadt points out that Ritalin shares many of the same characteristics as other drugs such as amphetamines, methamphetamine, and cocaine. In fact, Ritalin’s physiological effects are almost indistinguishable from cocaine, she asserts. The number of children and adolescents who have abused Ritalin has increased dramatically, Eberstadt maintains. Therefore, she concludes, Ritalin is too dangerous to be used to drug typical childhood behaviors. Eberstadt is the consulting editor of Policy Review.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How has Ritalin produced a professional labor shortage, according to the New York Times as cited by Eberstadt?
2. How do lab animals respond to a choice between Ritalin and cocaine, according to Richard DeGrandpre as cited by the...