Alarm at `zombie' pill use in UK
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A UNITED NATIONS body will this week call for a World Health Organisation investigation into the medical effects of a stimulant drug which it says is being given to British children at a "staggering" rate.
A report by the UN's International Narcotics Control Board says that use of the drug methylphenidate, or Ritalin, has risen by 100 per cent in more than 50 countries in the past year.
The amphetamine-type drug is being prescribed by doctors to hyperactive children because it helps calm them down. But in Scotland, where its use is particularly widespread, drug-support groups say it is being sold illegally to adults.
The UN board warns that unless checks are introduced, levels of use in Britain could reach those in the United States, where one-year-olds are now being given the drug and up to 40 per cent of children in some school classes are using it.
In Britain, critics have claimed that doctors are creating classrooms of "zombies". The number of prescriptions has risen from 2,000 in 1991 to 92,000 last year. The National Health Service bill for Ritalin was pounds 1.6m last year and this year is expected to rise above pounds 2m.
MPs and paediatricians have called for an inquiry into the long-term effects of the drug, which is designed to help children with attention deficit disorder (ADD).
In its report, the UN calls on the governments in Britain and 10 other countries to "seek out possible over-diagnosis of ADD and curb excessive use".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments