Prevalence of methylphenidate use among adolescents in Ontario

Despite a growing interest in the use of methylphenidate (Ritalin) to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders, prevalence data has been scarce in Canada. A probability school survey conducted in 1997 among Ontario stu dents in grades 7, 9, 11 and 13 is used to collect data on such use. Overal l, 3.4% of students (5.3% of males, 1.7% of females) used methylphenidate i n the previous year. Rates and patterns are similar to those found in the U nited Starts. Future research needs to examine reasons and correlates of us e, extent of medical supervision and possible non-medical use of methylphen idate.