Club Drugs Articles

Methylphenidate (Ritalin®) Training Bulletin by Officer Matt Johnson

Background Information

The primary, legitimate medical use of Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is to treat attention deficit disorders in children (ADHD). It is a central nervous system stimulant prescribed mostly to adolescents for such problems as; failing to wait their turn, interrupting conversations, disrupting classroom activities, and students who have problems with their school work due to lack of attention skills. Its use and abuse is nothing new. It has been around since the 1950s.

Ritalin is manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation®. It is a Schedule II controlled substance, the same schedule category as cocaine and methamphetamine. It is estimated that nearly 10-12% of all "school age boys" are being prescribed Ritalin to combat their Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.


Cause for Concern

Ritalin is a stimulant that produces pharmacological effects similar to those of cocaine and amphetamines making its abuse very desirable to many. The DEA has reported Ritalin thefts to be on the rise not only from pharmacies but mostly from school buildings. Several school officials including principals, nurses, and custodian staff members have been arrested and prosecuted for the theft of Ritalin. As in one such case where a school principal in Utah was caught replacing students' Ritalin pills with sugar pills. Law enforcement officials should be aware of Ritalin abuse issues within schools in their jurisdictions, and steps should be taken to assist the school in safeguarding the substance. It is a leading cause of many school burglaries.

Not only are "outsiders" seeking this highly sought after stimulant pill, but the students themselves have found a new drug to peddle on campus. In a recent survey at a school in Wisconsin, 34% of students ages 11-18 that take Ritalin reported being approached to sell or trade their medication. Among students who were not taking Ritalin, 53% reported that some students gave away or sold their medication. Law enforcement and school officials should familiarize themselves with current methods being used by students to sell Ritalin on campus. A couple of very common methods include "palming" where the student will hold the pill in his or her hand after they fake putting it into their mouth and then fake a swallow. The most common is "tongue hiding" the pill. This is where the student will put the pill in his or her mouth, drink water and pretend to have swallowed the pill while it is actually under their tongue. After leaving the "secured medication" area of the school the student will spit the pill out and usually place it in a secure place to dry. Partially dissolved pills from the "tongue hiding" method have been found in lockers, in students clothing, textbooks, and more recently a stash of "partially dissolved" pills was found behind a library book in a middle school library. Individual pills may be sold for as little as $1.00 and up to $20.00 per pill. Students will take the pill orally or crush the pill up and snort it, sometimes refereed to as "railing" a pill.


Law Enforcement

It is important for law enforcement officers to familiarize themselves with the identification of Ritalin and other ADHD medications, as there are several including other manufactures of Methylphenidate. Visit with school officials such as school principals, nurses, and other school personnel that dispense or administer medications. Make recommendations to school officials on physical security issues as it relates to medications and advise them of the potential abuse dangers. school resource officers should stay abreast of current Ritalin "dealing" patterns on campus and make notes of places where Ritalin pills are found out of place.

Methylphenidate is a Controlled Schedule II Substance. It is required to be under locked security in Pharmacies.	Geneva Distribution Company® provides pharmacies with both a 10-milligram and a 20-milligram dose. Their appearance is almost identical with the exception of the number imprint code. 10 Milligram has "789" imprinted 20 Milligram has "790" imprinted Both strengths have "GG" on the opposite side of the number imprint. All pills from Geneva Distribution are light green.

Methylphenidate "Street/Slang" Names

• Smarties
  
• Skittles
  
• Vitamin R
  
• Smart Pill
  
• R-Balls