The Appleton Central Alternative High School in Appleton, Wisconsin was established in 1996 for “problem” students that did not fit well into a traditional high school setting. Students were described as “rude, obnoxious, and ill-mannered” by their own dean of students. Problems with discipline were severe enough that a policeman had to be on campus at all times. There were even weapons violations. (See video below)

In 1997 a new nutrition program was implemented. Machines selling soda pop were eliminated. The program was developed by Paul Stitt (biochemist and owner of Natural Ovens of Manitowoc) and Barbara Reed Stitt, PhD. Dr.Stitt is the author of Food and Behavior she also developed a nutrition program while working as a probation officer that decreased the number of repeat offenders among her charges.Natural Ovens donated over $100,000 to hire cooks and set up food service. Nutritious meals were served to the students for breakfast and lunch (the students were only in school for those two meals). Soda pop, candy, chips and chemically laden foods were prohibited.

Since improving the food fed to the students, for the last three years there have been no dropouts, no expulsions, no drug or weapons problems, and no suicides. Students say they have more focus and physical stamina. The results of this program are nothing short of amazing. A short video of the program has been made and is available for a small fee; contact Natural Ovens of Manitowoc for the video.

Drugs Being Used to Diagnose ADD and ADHD

A commentary appearing in Family Practice News, November 1, 1995, points out that physicians are inappropriately using Ritalin to diagnose ADHD. Patients are given a stimulant and, if they respond to it, it is assumed that they had ADHD. The author points out that people who do not have ADD or ADHD will often have improved concentration and attention when given a stimulant. Also, many with ADD or ADHD (between 20% and 30%) will not respond to Ritalin. The study goes on to say that as many as 40% of the pediatricians were giving Ritalin as a way of diagnosing ADD and ADHD, according to a study by Dr. Copeland of Foundation Health in Sacramento, California.  One survey found as many as 70% of the doctors guilty of this practice.

Poor concentration may be due to learning disabilities. Ritalin will do nothing for learning disabilities. If a child is bipolar, a stimulant will make them worse. Poor concentration can be from anemia, thyroid problems or clinical depression, but doctors are not taking the time to diagnose these problems. Instead they are relying on a subjective observation of symptoms. These doctors are not taking the time to diagnose properly.

Is it any wonder that we are using more of these drugs? IMS America, a marketing research firm in Plymouth Meeting, PA., reported that the number of prescriptions written for the 3 main stimulant drugs used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-Ritalin, Dexedrine, and Cylert tripled from 1990 to 1994. We are drugging our children because of lazy doctors.