Share
The National Rifle Association’s incoming president has linked school shootings and other violence to using medications such as Ritalin.
Retired Lt. Col. Oliver North told “Fox News Sunday” that perpetrators of school violence “have been drugged in many cases” and “many of these young boys have been on Ritalin since they were in kindergarten.”
Eight Students, Two Teachers Die in School Shooting
North’s comments followed the attack Friday at Santa Fe High School outside Houston that left eight students and two teachers dead. Investigators have given no indication that they believe the 17-year-old suspect, Dimitrios Pagourtzis, used Ritalin, which treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or other drugs.
Pagourtzis’ attorney, Nicholas Poehl, said Sunday that he was not aware that his client was on any specific medication. He said he was surprised that someone with North’s experience with the criminal justice system would “make those kind of generalizations with a case that’s less than 48 hours old.”
An NRA spokesman, Andrew Arulanandam, confirmed North was speaking on the organization’s behalf and said “there are others who share this viewpoint.”
Researcher Disputes NRA’s Claim
George DuPaul, a psychologist at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania whose research has focused on ADHD treatment, said a deeper body of research exists on the effects of Ritalin and similar drugs than of treatments for any other condition in children. He said it doesn’t support North’s claim.
“There’s really no evidence whatsoever that links treatment for ADHD with Ritalin and drugs like that with violence, let alone gun violence,” he said.
If anything, DuPaul said, children tend to be less aggressive.
The FDA’s medication guide on Ritalin says to watch for “new or worse aggressive behavior or hostility.”
DuPaul said the warning may be a case of being “overly inclusive” of possible side effects or a hint to underlying issues in patients.
“What’s more likely is that kids with mental health conditions who engage in this type of violent behavior, it’s the underlying condition and not the treatment that leads to this behavior,” he said.
RELATED TOPICS:
Trump’s Potential VP Pick Boasts About Executing Puppy
18 hours ago
Trita Parsi: Blind Support for Israel Erodes Western Democracies
18 hours ago
Fresno Trash Hauler’s Response to Overpayments: We Followed the City’s Rules
18 hours ago
Which Six QBs Were Selected in the Top 12 of the NFL Draft?
18 hours ago
Nuggets Close to Sweeping Lakers After Game 3 Win
19 hours ago
Jose Ramirez: ‘I Want to Make a Statement and Put on a Show’
19 hours ago
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s 6 Shutout Innings Help Dodgers Finish Sweep, Defeat Nats 2-1
20 hours ago
The 49ers Add Florida Receiver Ricky Pearsall With the 30th Draft Pick
20 hours ago
Political Stunt, Egg on His Face, Personal Vendetta. Who’s Fresno DA Talking About?
20 hours ago
California Legislation Wants to Uncover the ‘Hidden Homicides’ of Domestic Violence