is this a real problem

[theGinsue]

I've never used marijuana or any other illegal narcotics. Why? Because I had first-hand experience with legal and prescribed drugs that f'ed me up so bad that I never wanted to experience anything like it again.

I need to start this post by stating that in no way do I blame my parents for this; they were simply following the advice and directions of school administrators & doctors - the supposed "professionals".


Now I'm going to tell you something that most people don't know about me from one of the darkest periods of my life. I can recall details of my life when I was 4 years old, but the period of 1/2 way through 3rd grade through 1/2 way through the fourth grade is totally blank.


Back when I was 8 years old, in the third grade, my elementary school (no, not a doctor, the school) diagnosed me as hyperactive. They mandated to my parents that I be sent to a psychiatrist and be put on medication. This was in the early 1970's. Not knowing any better and following the direction of the "experts", this is exactly what happened. Within the first month I was prescribed 2 medications that were found to be ineffective. Then I was prescribed a new drug, ritalin. It was effective to modifying my behavior for a short period. The doctor (psychiatrist) continued to prescribe stronger and stronger drugs to control my behavior until I was effectively a walking zombie. While I have no memory of it, I'm told I got so crazy that I threatened to kill myself and my family and my mom had to tie me to my bed to keep everyone safe.


On Friday, January 19, 1973 (yes, I remember the date very well), things came to a boil at the school. I was in the fourth grade by then. I was removed from the classroom for raising my hand and tattling on the behavoir of another student. My dad came to pick me up. I was sure I was in seriously deep trouble with my dad but I will never forget that after he ordered me to go clean out my desk and get all of my things, he picked me up and carried me to the car. His words to me were "Don't worry, you're never going to this school again".


The next evening (yes, Saturday evening) I was getting enrolled in a private school whose only requirement for letting me enter was to give me the choice on whether I wanted to take the drugs or see the psychiatrist anymore. I didn't. That night was the television premiere of The Sound of Music which my dad had waited 8 years to finally get to see - THANK YOU DAD FOR YOUR SACRIFICE! Wouldn't you know it, but this school challenged me and had few problems with me above the normal ones you expect from young boys. Turns out that the original schools inability to challenge me caused the issues and the drugs turned me into a holy terror.


Why am I sharing all of this? Because I want you all to watch the video above and to know just what a danger all of these psychotropic drugs are that are getting prescribed in record numbers. If we don't do something to stop the use of these drugs except in the absolute most serious of cases, we will continue to see greater and greater numbers of displays of mass violence.

[lpgasman]

I've never used marijuana or any other illegal narcotics. Why? Because I had first-hand experience with legal and prescribed drugs that f'ed me up so bad that I never wanted to experience anything like it again.

I need to start this post by stating that in no way do I blame my parents for this; they were simply following the advice and directions of school administrators & doctors - the supposed "professionals".


Now I'm going to tell you something that most people don't know about me from one of the darkest periods of my life. I can recall details of my life when I was 4 years old, but the period of 1/2 way through 3rd grade through 1/2 way through the fourth grade is totally blank.


Back when I was 8 years old, in the third grade, my elementary school (no, not a doctor, the school) diagnosed me as hyperactive. They mandated to my parents that I be sent to a psychiatrist and be put on medication. This was in the early 1970's. Not knowing any better and following the direction of the "experts", this is exactly what happened. Within the first month I was prescribed 2 medications that were found to be ineffective. Then I was prescribed a new drug, ritalin. It was effective to modifying my behavior for a short period. The doctor (psychiatrist) continued to prescribe stronger and stronger drugs to control my behavior until I was effectively a walking zombie. While I have no memory of it, I'm told I got so crazy that I threatened to kill myself and my family and my mom had to tie me to my bed to keep everyone safe.


On Friday, January 19, 1973 (yes, I remember the date very well), things came to a boil at the school. I was in the fourth grade by then. I was removed from the classroom for raising my hand and tattling on the behavoir of another student. My dad came to pick me up. I was sure I was in seriously deep trouble with my dad but I will never forget that after he ordered me to go clean out my desk and get all of my things, he picked me up and carried me to the car. His words to me were "Don't worry, you're never going to this school again".


The next evening (yes, Saturday evening) I was getting enrolled in a private school whose only requirement for letting me enter was to give me the choice on whether I wanted to take the drugs or see the psychiatrist anymore. I didn't. That night was the television premiere of The Sound of Music which my dad had waited 8 years to finally get to see - THANK YOU DAD FOR YOUR SACRIFICE! Wouldn't you know it, but this school challenged me and had few problems with me above the normal ones you expect from young boys. Turns out that the original schools inability to challenge me caused the issues and the drugs turned me into a holy terror.


Why am I sharing all of this? Because I want you all to watch the video above and to know just what a danger all of these psychotropic drugs are that are getting prescribed in record numbers. If we don't do something to stop the use of these drugs except in the absolute most serious of cases, we will continue to see greater and greater numbers of displays of mass violence.

WOW! Thanks for sharing that. Im sorry you had to go thru that. I think we punish kids for being kids. That is really sad.