SPEED VS. RITALIN: THERE'S NO REAL DIFFERENCE

Re: What's Good For The ADHDAfflicted ... , Colby Cosh, May 1. There
is essentially no difference between Ritalin, Dexedrine and the
methamphetamines produced by illegal drug labs. They have the same
stimulant effects in the brain, the same highs, the same crashes and
the same potential for psychotic reactions.

Colby Cosh's article advertises to the general public how it may now
request speed from doctors as "cognitive enhancing" medicine. The
next time you see a speed freak hustling you for change on the
sidewalk, think about how much cognitive enhancement he/she has received.

We used to call that kind of enhancement, having your "brains fried."
There are no such things as ups without downs, stimulating the
neurotransmitters in the brain without massive rebound effects in the
brain -- not to mention shrinkage and scarring.

I have had serious concerns about the shoddy diagnostics involved in
ADHD. Now, there is no problem -- no diagnosis is needed, as "normal"
people can now benefit from speed. Anyone who wants to be "enhanced"
should be able to do so. In fact, look for ethical code changes that
warn doctors that they can be remiss7 in their duties by not
informing patients that they can be "enhanced" and that they should
consider "enhancing" their children.

Illegal biker gangs beware: Your competition just got stiffer. How
can they compete with legally dispensed speed from MDs who are
empowered to dope everyone without the tiresome need for a diagnosis?
And it's all thanks to the redefinition of speed as a "cognitive enhancer."

Marty McKay, Toronto.