MARIJUANA IS NOT AN OPTION FOR TREATING ADD

With regards to the editorial "Marijuana too risky for pediatric care" (CT,
April 21), the editorial board provides a compelling argument against
prescribing marijuana to treat attention deficit disorder in children.

This really speaks to the nature of ADD. Attention deficit disorder is not
a pain-inducing disorder, except in cases where paying attention is
necessary to avoid bodily harm. Traditionally, medical marijuana, even
though it carries legality only in California, is prescribed to patients
who experience extended periods of pain, loss of appetite, nausea, etc. or
who are terminally ill.

Furthermore, the board is correct in stating that marijuana would have to
undergo thorough research in order to be introduced as a treatment for
anything. Any of those who have tried marijuana medically or experimentally
know that the benefits of marijuana probably don't outweigh the negative
consequences of smoking, nor does it really help alleviate disorientation
or short attention spans.

But the issue at hand is marijuana for ADD children. The most important
point the author makes is that ADD diagnoses are applied to any abnormal
behavior in children to alleviate worries that the child might not be
'normal.' Excluding the possibility that the next generations are, in fact,
biologically ADD-prone (which would make no medical sense whatsoever), ADD
has become the curtain to hide behind to rationalize lower maturity levels,
bad parenting, lack of structural discipline or too much television.

There are children and adults who do have ADD and need the help that
medication can provide. Biologically, chemical imbalances in the brain can
trigger ADD, similar to depression and other mental illnesses. For those
affected, medication should be prescribed to restore a proper balance, and
help the individual lead a productive life.

But neither marijuana, nor Ritalin or any other attention-related
medication, should be so loosely prescribed to keep children in line and
prevent "abnormal" behavior, obviously excluding cases when biological
signs warrant their prescription. Children are, well, children. We as a
society cannot substitute medication for raising children. When children
are not acting normal, the parents, teachers, siblings and the community
are responsible for teaching children to act normally, rather than "doping"
them into behavior that society teaches is correct.

Joel Richards, senior, electrical engineering