RITALIN ADDICTION ON THE RISE IN UTAH, ELSEWHERE

MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Ritalin was once considered a wonder drug for
hyperactive children, but there is growing evidence that adults are
becoming hooked on its caffeinelike jolt and breaking the law to obtain it.

Take the case of Jennifer McNeil, a 33-year-old mother of two from Ozaukee
County, Wis., who is suspected of robbing eight pharmacies to obtain it.
She told authorities her addiction was so out of control that she made toy
weapons and hogtied clerks to get the drug.

Or Gerald Smith, a 50-year-old elementary school principal who was
sentenced to 30 days in jail last year after stealing Ritalin from a safe
at his school in Orem.

Wisconsin officials are frustrated because they lack a centralized system
for tracking abusers of prescription drugs such as Ritalin, said Cindy
Benning, leader of the state Controlled Substances Board. Without this
information, law enforcement officials cannot get a grip on the extent of
the problem, she said.

In Utah, the No. 1 drug problem is methamphetamine, but the illegal use of
Ritalin is a growing concern, said Barry Jamison, special agent in charge
of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's office in Salt Lake City.

"We're definitely concerned about Ritalin," said Jamison. "Its effects can
be as powerful as cocaine."

Benning has called for a computerized data system that would identify
people with addictions to legal drugs.

Centralized tracking systems are used in many states.

Such system sounds like a good idea, experts say, but in reality are costly
to install and the information isn't instantly displayed.