by Kimberly Blaker

Most religious entanglements are brought about by the Christian right. But this powerful minority is not alone in attempting to impose its religious views and practices on Americans.

On September 26, the House Committee on Government Reform conducted a hearing “Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders – Are We Overmedicating Our Children?”

According to the House Committee, the question is “whether physicians are too quick to prescribe Ritalin to treat ADHD, the most common neurobehavioral disorder of childhood, without considering alternatives.”

The hearing, chaired by Representative Dan Burton (R-IN), offered testimony by several witnesses, most of whom are associated with the Church of Scientology’s Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR).

According to Dr. E. Clark Ross, chief executive of Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), the Commission is one of the main culprits in spreading misleading literature, making unsubstantiated claims, and disregarding scientific findings pertaining to AD/HD and scientifically-based treatments.

The Church of Scientology’s strong opposition to psychotropic drugs and to the field of psychiatry in general, has led to Scientologists’ fervent attack. Those in support of this ideology have made an aggressive campaign to have Ritalin and other psychiatric drugs banned from schools and have spread misleading literature making unsubstantiated claims disregarding scientific findings that are contrary to their views.

Scientologists oppose the use of any form of psychiatric drugs or treatment, and Ritalin has been a prime target. According to CCHR, learning disabilities and AD/HD are “inventions, contrivances and a fraud.”

Witnesses at the recent House Committee hearing included U.S. President of the CCHR, Bruce Wiseman, and CCHR spokesperson, Lisa-Marie Presley.
Testimony was also heard from Dr. Mary Ann Block, an osteopath who has developed her own “alternative” to scientifically based treatments—her unregulated Concentration For-Your-Kids vitamins, which she claims enhance attention.

Neil Bush, the brother of President George W., was also scheduled to testify because according to Neil Bush, his son was incorrectly diagnosed and was urged to take medication.

Bush has been on a media blitz in recent weeks misinforming the public about the over-diagnosis of AD/HD and what he refers to as “mind altering” drugs for its treatment. Interestingly, Bush failed to show for the hearing.

Regardless of opponents claims, the U.S. Surgeon General, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, and the American Medical Association have all recognized AD/HD as a real neurobiological disorder, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, NIMH, and U.S. Surgeon General all recommend treatment that may include prescription or stimulant medication.

Substantial evidence supports the effectiveness of parent training, behavioral modification, and Ritalin and other medications in treating AD/HD, while there is a total lack of evidence supporting “alternative” treatments to AD/HD.

Interestingly, according to Scientology’s CCHR, in 1995, a united front representing 40 million people met in D.C. to sign a pledge that stated, among other things, “We pledge to eliminate... all dangerous and invasive psychiatric/psychologically-based programs, assessments, and tests from our schools, and funding thereof.”

Signers of this pledge included major Christian right players such as Phyllis Schlafly’s Eagle Forum, Gary Bauer’s Family Research Council, The Rutherford Institute, Beverly LaHaye’s Concerned Women of America, and many others, as well as Scientology’s CCHR.

Phyllis Schlafly’s Eagle Forum website dedicates a page to Ritalin-use with numerous links to articles that contradict scientific facts.

Fortunately, testimony was heard at the recent House Committee hearing from the CEO of CHADD, Dr. E. Clark Ross, whose son is diagnosed with AD/HD. Ross concluded, “I find it frustrating and disheartening that I have to defend recognized science against science fiction.”

Regardless, Scientology’s and the Christian right’s influence in this debate has remained hidden from public view. Without understanding the motives behind this big debate, it has been difficult for the medical and scientific community to get through to the public on this issue. More importantly, much of the AD/HD population has remained confused because of the hype.

The Church of Scientology, the Christian Right, and other groups creating the Ritalin scare are no more than scandalmongers pretending to be for parents and kids. In reality, it's big business, ideology, and a political agenda, and millions of kids with AD/HD will be the ones to suffer.

It’s frightening to realize that religious agendas can ultimately determine the fate of Americans’—and especially children’s—mental health.

Kimberly Blaker’s The Wall™ appears weekly. She is editor and coauthor of the The Fundamentals of Extremism: the Christian Right in America. Send your comments to Kimberly Blaker: TheWall@TheWall-OnChurchAndState.com  © 2002, Kimberly Blaker