LINK BETWEEN LEARNING DISABILITIES, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, ADD

DEAR Ann Landers: Please tell your readers about research showing a link
between Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), learning disabilities and
substance abuse. There are 4 million children in our nation with learning
disabilities. They are at a greater risk of failing school and often
experience difficulty and frustration when dealing with others. These
children are more likely to engage in negative and disruptive behavior.
Academic failure and peer rejection are common risk factors associated with
substance abuse.

The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse and the National Center
for Learning Disabilities hosted a conference earlier this year to explore
the relationship between learning disabilities and future substance abuse.
It is imperative to identify learning disabilities as early as possible and
deal with them promptly. Those children with learning disabilities who fall
prey to substance abuse and addiction must receive treatment tailored to
deal with both problems, and sooner rather than later.

Each delay in focusing on this problem costs thousands of children
opportunities they may never have again and can set them on the often deadly
course of substance abuse and addiction. Please urge your readers to have
their children tested immediately if they suspect ADD or learning disabilities.

- -- Joseph A. Califano, Jr., National Center on Addiction and Substance
Abuse, Columbia University, N.Y.

Dear Joseph A. Califano: A word to the wise is sufficient, and you certainly
have hit on a subject that needs exploring and greater understanding. Thank
you for a letter that can be an enormous help to parents and children who
are struggling with the frustrations of learning disabilities or ADD. These
parents need all the help they can get.