STIMULANT USE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE IN WISCONSIN AS REPORTED BYSCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND LONGITUDINALLY FOLLOWED CHILDREN

The purpose of this study was to describe stimulant use and abuse as r eported by school administrators and children diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder or attention deficit disorder inattent ive. Five years after being identified as Ritalin responders, 161 chil dren were surveyed regarding stimulant use and abuse. School principal s in central Wisconsin were also surveyed regarding stimulant use and policies, No child believed stimulants as prescribed could lead to abu se. Sixteen percent of the children had been approached to sell, give, or trade their medication. During school hours, 44% of children and 3 7% of schools reported stimulants were stored unlocked. Not all school s had written policies regarding prescription drugs, and 10% permitted students to carry their own medication. Monitoring prescription usage , periodic reassessment of efficacy, and continuing education of famil y and teaching staff should be part of the multimodal treatment for th is disorder. School policies should be developmentally sensitive.