Campbell Launches New Attack On Ritalin Lawmaker ‘Melts Down’ Bill In Hopes Of At Least Getting A Hearing

Rep. John Campbell has a new plan to try to curb the use of Ritalin for children - he wants to pass a law requiring doctors to disclose specific information to parents when they prescribe the drug.

“It’s something that needs to be discussed along with guns and everything else,” Campbell said. “These kinds of drugs, they do have some funny effects on some people.”

Last year, Campbell, R-Sandpoint, unsuccessfully proposed legislation to make it a felony for any doctor to prescribe Ritalin to a child under age 18. The penalty would have been up to life in prison and/or a $25,000 fine.

“Last year’s was a meat-ax approach, no question about it,” the semi-retired fishing tackle manufacturer said. “I figured I’d melt it down far enough that I might be able to at least get a hearing on it this time around.”

Campbell’s distaste for the drug, which is prescribed commonly to children to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, is based on personal experience. One of his sons, now grown, was put on Ritalin from the age of 8. The boy later had problems with illegal drugs, and Campbell draws connections between the two.

“I think that there’s more adverse effects to the drug Ritalin than we’re being told,” he said.

The drug, a stimulant that creates a calming effect in hyperactive children, is much-prescribed in Idaho. As recently as 1995, Idaho led the nation in per-capita Ritalin use. Since then, the state has dropped down into the average range, but that may be due in part to the increasing use of other drugs.

“It’s substantially decreased because they’re using dexedrine more and some of the other drugs also,” said Jan Atkinson, senior compliance officer for the state Board of Pharmacy. “Some doctors even switch back and forth. It’s being used plenty.”

Dexedrine is a powerful amphetamine. Campbell’s proposal targets only Ritalin, which is known generically as methylphenidate.

Atkinson said the state Board of Pharmacy tracks prescriptions, and could analyze its data and report on the use of Ritalin or other drugs if the Legislature asked.

Campbell said he’s circulating his proposal now, six months before the Legislature convenes, to give people a chance to comment on it.

“I think that I’m going to get a lot of information, pro and con,” he said. “Maybe we at least can get some answers.”

Officials at the Boise Military Entrance Processing Station confirmed that all branches of the military have a rule excluding recruits who’ve had prescription drug use after age 12, although exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis. The main concern is not the medication, they said, but the underlying condition the medication treats.

Of the approximately 120 military recruits processed in Boise each month, about 1 in 15 are disqualified for prescription drug use. The branch of the service to which they’re applying can overrule that decision.

“There’s a lot of things these children can’t do if they’ve been on Ritalin after 12 years old,” Campbell said. “I think all of this should ought to be given to the families, so they can make a rational decision on the future of the child.”

Atkinson of the Board of Pharmacy said most of the symptoms, side effects and warnings listed in the bill are correct. But she wasn’t familiar with a few of them.

“I don’t know where he’s getting his information,” Atkinson said. “There’s so much written about Ritalin. These adverse reactions are listed on the literature that the pharmacies are required to hand out.”

Russ Newcomb, a retired surgeon, former legislator and registered lobbyist for the Idaho Medical Association, said Idaho law already requires doctors to inform patients.

“Are we going to write a new law for every drug?” he asked. “I think putting this in the law really is rather complex, and it really hinders the practice of medicine. I think the standard of care is to keep your patient fully informed about the therapy that you’re providing.”

The IMA, which will have its annual convention this week in Coeur d’Alene, hasn’t yet taken a position on the proposal, but is likely to oppose it. “I do have some concerns,” associate executive director Ron Hodge said. “We’ll certainly submit it to our review process.”

Violations of Campbell’s measure would be misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in jail and fines of up to $25,000.

Cut in the Spokane edition. This sidebar appeared with the story: FAST FACTS The bill Rep. John Campbell’s bill would require doctors to disclose to parents this information about Ritalin: Specific possible side effects. Warnings about possible addiction. Warnings about the danger of ingesting the drug other than by swallowing it. Chopping up and sniffing the tablets, for example, can be fatal. Specific symptoms of overdose. A statement that no person who takes Ritalin after age 12 is eligible for military service. A warning that distributing the drug to anyone other than the person for whom it was prescribed is a felony in Idaho and a federal crime. To comment on the proposal, call Campbell at (208) 263-4774 or write him at 1509 Cedar, Sandpoint 83864.