Medicational Abuse In The Classroom

One of the many controversial topics today, medicational abuse for enhancing academic success and excuses for misbehavior in the classroom, has many hidebound viewpoints. It is believed by some that ADHD is a very significant disease that cannot be controlled without medicine. This is strongly displayed in today's society. The disorder, ADHD, is often controlled by some sort of medicine that is most likely overprescribed by a physician, giving students an unfair advantage in the classroom, and abused by students that do not have the disorder in order to elevate test scores and increase focus. Many physicians or doctors are often pressured into prescribing their patients ADHD medicine. Fred Baughman states, "All patients and research participants …show more content…
It is also argued that our society relies on prescription drugs in order to control behavior problems in classrooms. In Barbara Amiel's article it is stated that, "He is incredibly well-read and can converse years beyond his age… he loves his Ritalin, which he's been on since he was diagnosed as ADHD at age six. But isn't it a bit like steroids? I mean, isn't he getting help from a chemical that other kids do not have?" (Amiel 2). Amiel argues that kids that take drugs to help with the symptoms of ADHD are receiving an unfair advantage in the classroom because they are receiving a boost that other kids are not obtaining. This is a difficult argument to make because some kids need the extra boost to cure their symptoms; however, at the same time it could give them unfair advantage in the classroom, since they are receiving a chemical that will boost their system in a different way than other kids. Parents are convinced that there is something mentally wrong with their child when they have behavioral problems. Traditionally, behavioral problems can reveal that the child does not receive adequate attention at home and the only way that can be resolved is if they get in trouble. Teachers and parents have a hard time dealing with children that have ADHD because they can sometimes be a disturbance in class and affect the learning environment. Frank Lawlis states, "Typically, parents, physicians, and teachers find themselves at odds over a child's treatment. Parents are often bewildered about what to do to help and protect their child. School Administrators, understandably, are most concerned about the learning environment for all their students. Too often, busy physicians treat the symptoms, not the child" (Lawlis 2). Lawlis argues that teachers and parents are going to do whatever they have to do in order to keep their students