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Attention Disorder Drugs
Children diagnosed with attention deficit disorders are commonly treated with stimulant medications, such as Ritalin or Adderall. These drugs are controlled substances under federal law because of their high abuse potential. Many of these stimulant drugs must be taken several times a day to be effective, so that children need medication during the school day.
There is some concern that the increase in the use of these medications in a school environment might provide additional opportunities for the diversion or abuse of these drugs. There is no data on the extent to which attention disorder drugs have been diverted or abused at school, or the extent to which state laws or regulations guide local school officials in safely administering these drugs.
To clarify these issues, this book provides information and analysis on (1) the diversion and abuse of attention deficit disorder drugs in public schools, (2) the school environment in which drugs are administered to students, and (3) the state laws or regulations addressing the administration of prescription drugs in schools.
(50 pp.)
Available as a PDF document, below. (See link below. PDF file is 1.8 MB and requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader).
 http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d011011.pdf
Publication Year: 2001
Publisher United States General Accounting Office (GAO) 441 G Street, NW Washington, dc 20548 Phone: (202) 512-4800
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Boston University School of Public Health 
