In many cases, this wave of overprescription is a direct result of not following the procedures and guidelines set down in the DSM-IV and the Official pharmacological fact sheet for Ritalin and Ritalin SR

Our solution is as follows:

To wit: Follow the Manufacturer's directions.

More precisely:

The following should be banned completely:
    Prescription of Ritalin or other drugs as a diagnostic tool
    Prescription of Ritalin or other drugs without a complete medical, psychological, sociological, and emotional history background check
    Refills on AD(H)D drugs without a psychiatrist appointment ("pick-up" prescriptions)
    Prescription of Ritalin or other drugs for ADHD to youth under the age of eight
    Prescription of Ritalin or other drugs as a first recourse
    Prescription of Ritalin to patients with anxiety or other disorders explicitly listed as incompatible with Ritalin in the pharmacological fact sheet.

Any physician who participates in one or more of these activities should immediately have their license revoked pending a hearing for endangering the health and welfare of a patient.
 

The following should be required:
    Yearly bloodwork and a full psychiatric evaluation, possibly including CAT scans
    Minimization of dosage -- that is, dosage should be occasionally trimmed back, in order to assess if the current amount is too high.
    A yearly vacation where practical.  If the youth in question is under the age of sixteen, or is over sixteen and does not have a job or summer classes, the prescription should be withdrawn during the summer months in order to assess any improvement in their condition.  This should also help to stem the effects of addiction.  In any other case, i.e. summer job, summer classes, or otherwise, the prescription should be reduced significantly (to perhaps 10 mg/day) during the vacation months.  Allowances could be made for those living in areas with year-round schooling.  These would need to be considered by the treating physician on a case-by-case basis.  Under no circumstances should the prescription not be withdrawn simply on the pressures of the parents.
 

We feel that implementing these measures will help to stem the tide of abuse and overprescription, while still allowing those who have a legitimate and necessary reason for taking Ritalin (or other AD(H)D drugs) to still have access to their medications.